Pilatus PC 12 or King air C90 or 200

[crom505]

WHat can you say abotu the pilatus pc 12 ?? cost of operations , reliability and technology??

[ab33t]

The PC12 cheapest operation per size at the moment for the TP fleet

[clunckdriver]

Simple choice! Just compare the one engine out performance and base your decision on that!

[ILblog]

I have PC12 for 6 months. It is just like your car.

It is easy to fly
You can land at any small airport
And reliability? I just put fuel in, sometimes I add oil into PT6 and just fly

IL

[WSUshox]

What is your mission? How far? How many people? What type of runways are you operating out of?

[karl414ac]

Almost evenly matched A/C

Kingair-Pro's
Bullet Proof airframes and parts.
Most MO's have had experience with kingair's
Solid handling an almost any weather
Short and rough fields no issue
Twin P&W PT6-21 engines

I have worked with Kingairs both Be90 and Be200 and they are fantastic aircraft very reliable

Kingair -Cons

Expensive to keep in the air
Starter Generators very expensive
Flap motors and winding gear also very expensive
Landing gear overhauls will empty the bank
Pressurisation cycles on the older models (A-B) are usually very high
Original Beech Nav/Comms are forever going pop

PC-12

Its simple its a single engine KA90

[S.F.L.Y]

PC-12

Its simple its a single engine KA90

Did you compare the cabin sizes? Single engine yes, KA90 certainly not!
Anyway, how many engine failures did you personally experience on your KA90? Don't forget that with two engines you increase failures probabilities by 2...

[inbalance]

Simple choice! Just compare the one engine out performance and base your decision on that!

Don´t forget to compare all engine out performance.

The Pilatus glides better than it climbs.
1200 ft above. dep aerodrome it is always possible to glide back into the airfield.
There is a procedure for that and Pilatus is training pilots during initial rating.

I have flown both, King Airs and the Pilatus.
The cabin of the 200 and the PC12 are equal, but the Pilatus cabinfloor is all flat.
Cruise performance is nearly the same.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9996/bild445r.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/bild445r.jpg/)

Pilatus needs shorter runways.
Range and payload of the Pilatus is better.
Cabin heat of the King Air is much better. If you buy a PC12, optional cockpit foot heating is a must.

Pilatus after sales service is bad. After aircraft delivery they leave you alone with it.
Beechcraft and Cessna are much better in customer care.

To compare the collins proline with the honeywell apex:
They both do the same job, but the collins is for professionals and the honeywell is a colerful gadget for the private owners.

I would like to have the collins in the PC12.


Inbalance

[ILblog]

Pilatus after sales service is bad. After aircraft delivery they leave you alone with it.
Beechcraft and Cessna are much better in customer care.

Well I have completelly different option on after service with Pilatus. When I have a problem I call hotline number, that is in POH and I always get an answer.

[rigpiggy]

How many hours a year do you plan, the price right now for a used 200 with half time-42s is around 800k. spend 200k on new avionics, paint, interior, etc... you have an aircraft that you would have to fly about 3000 hrs, to make up the acquisition cost/running cost difference.

[ryhickman]

Gentlemen,
Does anyone have experience living with both types. I am entering the data collection phase of an eventual acquisition exercise for use as an executive business platform, configured as a 6 seater. The mission profile does not include use in rough terrains, and average mission duration is about two hours. A major aspect is comparative acquisition costs, and running costs (about 300 hours/p.a.)
Initially I have gathered this data from both manufacturers, but am seeking independant validation.
Oh, one other matter. An oftentimes requirement is carriage space for tools and instruments used by the Company at customer sites. The Pilatus has a great load door with dedicated space available during flight. Have I left out anything?
I appreciate any opinions on the above,

Roy

[Anotheravatar]

Is one vs two engines a 'debate'?

[Romeo Tango]

Is one vs two engines a 'debate'?

No, it's statistics & philosophy

I have a friend with a PC12. He loves it.

[ifly0404]

I fly and manage PC12's and I work with another broker who does the same in King Airs. The general consensus is that the Pilatus has a better cabin layout with more room for cargo whereas the King Air has the "feel better in the back of your mind second engine". Both are great planes for the 2 hour mission but you need to look at DOC and determine if it's worth the #2 engine or not.

[ILblog]

Well I have switched PC12 for Cessna Citation. Now I see what does it mean warranty or customer service. With PC12 warranty covers only spare parts, so you pay like crazy for labor to solve all the production issues. Yes, they will pay for 10USD part that was replaced, but be sure you will pay 30.000 USD a year for maintenance just to found out what is wrong. With Cessna, the warranty covers also labor.

And as for singe vs. twin issue. Yes the probability of engine failure in PC12 is small, but unless the pilot is completelly stupid, the bug WHAT I WILL DO IF DONKEY QUITS RIGHT NOW, is digging in the head all the flight. Especially during night, heavy IMC, over mountains, and so on.