Thats not true.
The BE250 flies 300 Knots at FL 250. If you fly higher it will safe fuel, but isnīt so fast anymore.
I had a demo flight with the BE250 2 weeks ago, because my Boss was thinking about to buy one.
I do have some performance data and I made some calculations between the Beech and the PC12.
The 300 Knots of the Beech 250 is maximum cruise at 25000 feet with a light airplane. The 540 lbs fuel flow is at a much higher FL.
The PC 12 can do 280 knots at 24000 feet if it is light.
With maximum weight the PC12 NG will cruise with 260 knots and a fuel flow of 349 lbs/hr at 30000 ft. Or 272 Knots at 20000 ft with a fuel flow 491 lbs/hr.
Another Example:
Basic operating weight of the Beech 250 including 1 Pilot: 8780 lbs
full fuel : 3645 lbs
Take off weight: 12425 lbs
Max. take off weight 12500 lbs
So the Beech 250 can fly with full tanks, one pilot and 0 Passengers only.
2 Pilots canīt fill the tanks to maximum !!!!!!!!!
Range with full tanks is 1610 NM.
With 4 Passengers, 1 Pilot it is 1184 NM.
PC12:
Basic operating weight incl. 1 Pilot: 6548 lbs
full fuel : 2700 lbs
Take off weight: 9248 lbs
Max take off weight: 10450 lbs
That gives you a payload full fuel of: 1202 lbs
That is 6 passengers (200 lbs each)with full fuel.
Range with full fuel is 1500 NM
With 8 Passengers it will fly 1182 NM.
So to fly 1182 NM with 8 Passengers you need 1 PC12, or 2 BE 250.
As we donīt do ferry flights only, the Beech isnīt the right plane for us.
The Beech is a little faster, but it hasnīt the range and the payload we need.
If you buy the high flotation gear, to operate on rough surfaces, the Beech is slower, because it doesnīt fit completely into the wing. A feature every PC12 has ex factory.
The costs of the beech are much highter.
1. sales Price
2. Fuel
3. Maintenance
4. Insurance
The PC 12 has a take off distance, max take off weight, SL, ISA of 456 Meter, Be250 643 Meter.
Landing distance of the PC12 is 537 Meter, BE250 867 Meter.
Other advantages of the PC12, Cargo door, flat cabin floor.
So my conclusion, the PC12 outperforms the BE250 in everything by far, exept speed.
Inbalance
Last edited by inbalance; 19th Aug 2012 at 13:01.