King Air 350 vs. Pilatus PC-12
Which aircraft delivers the better combination of speed, safety, comfort and value?
Performance
King Air 350
The King Air 350 has a cruise speed of around 300 knots (345 mph), which is faster than the Pilatus PC-12.
Max payload with two pilots and full fuel: 1,500lbs.
The King Air 350 has a service ceiling of 35,000 Feet allowing it to cruise higher over weather.
Pilatus PC-12
The PC-12 has a cruise speed of about 280 knots (322 mph), which is slower than the King Air 350.
Max payload with two pilots and full fuel: 766 lbs
The PC-12 has a service ceiling of 30,000 Feet, which limits weather deviations.
Hourly rate doesn’t always tell the full story. The King Air 350’s higher cruise speed can reduce flight time on many Western U.S. missions. Use our King Air 350 vs. PC-12 cost calculator to compare estimated flight time and cost per trip, per year and over five years.
King Air 350 vs PC-12 Cost Calculator
Safety
King Air 350
Powered by two reliable Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines, the King Air 350 offers built-in redundancy, ensuring safety even if one engine fails. To put this into perspective, a single engine, fully loaded King Air 350 can climb to 17,500 feet on a standard day, while a PC-12 would be focused on finding a suitable place to glide to.
This makes the King Air a favorable option for regions with unreliable weather or remote areas where the nearest airport may be a long distance away.
Pilatus PC-12
The PC-12 is a single-engine aircraft, so while it has a strong safety record as well, a single-engine failure is more critical than a twin-engine failure. While a King Air can still fly on a single engine and land safely, a PC-12 is forced to glide to the nearest suitable area, if available.
This can be more challenging than the King Air in many scenarios, particularly in adverse conditions such as low clouds, inclement weather, nighttime, high altitudes, or mountainous terrain.
Comfort
Cabin Comparison
Aircraft Dimensions
Aircraft Length
Aircraft Height
Wingspan:
King Air 350
46’8”
14’4”
57’ 11”
Pilatus PC-12
47’3”
14’0”
53’ 3”
Baggage:
Aft Cargo:
Wing Lockers:
Total Cargo:
55 ft³
17 ft³
72 ft³
40 ft³
0 ft³
40 ft³
Why choose us?
We’d love you to be part of the West Coast Aviation family. Here are a few reasons our Fractional program stands out from the rest...
Nearly 40 Years of Aviation Excellence
Having been a family owned business for nearly four decades, our customers have an average tenure rate of 10+ years.
Textron Approved Part 145 Repair Station
This designation isn’t just handed out—it signifies that we provide some of the best in-house maintenance for our fleet.
The Largest King Air Fleet in the Western US
Our extensive fleet of King Airs ensures we’ll always have a reliable backup ready.
Pet Friendly
We love our pets, and welcome yours on all flights. Bring along your family pet at no additional cost.
Guaranteed Availability, Minimum Notice
Guaranteed availability in as little as 48 hours means you’ll be on your flight in just a couple days.
Pause or Exit the Program Anytime
That’s right, we stand by our service and you can exit or simply pause the program anytime you want, with no penalty.
Rollover Hours
Up to 25 unused hours can be rolled over to the next year or borrow 25 hours from the preceding year at no additional cost.
No Reposition Cost
With our Fractional Program, you only pay for the time you are on the plane.
Jet Access
You’ll also enjoy access to our jet fleet for larger missions when needed—available at an exclusive rate.
Let’s get you on that plane!
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