Better Aircraft - Beechcraft Denali vs PC-12 NGX

Better Aircraft - Beechcraft Denali vs PC-12 NGX

The Pilatus PC-12 has been a proven success over the years. But now it may have met its match.
Beechcrafts new Denali and today were going to see how they compare.

The Cessna Denali is an American single engine-turboprop, aircraft under development by Textron Aviation. It will have 2 configurations. Both are Passenger configurations one being executive holding 6 passengers, and a high density configuration holding 9 passengers. Textron describes its cabin as a "Jet-Inspired cabin design that leverages decades of Cessna Citation experience which is is Cessna's business jets line.
The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland, since 1991. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators. The PC-12 is the best-selling pressurized single-engine turbine-powered aircraft in the world. So the Cessna Denali has some stiff competition. The cabins of PC-12 Around the world is inspired in part by the famous car manufacturer BMW. Pilatus says "Together with BMW Designworks we are pleased to offer the most comfortable and modern cabin experience ever in the
PC-12 NGX" which is too inspired by Pilatus' own business jet the PC-24.
The PC-12 NGX has many configurations holding up to 10 passengers! But the most eye catching
configuration is a 2 seat, 2 lie flat bed configuration.

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#Cessna #Pilatus #CessnaDenali #PC12 #BeechcraftDenali #Beechcraft

[johannmckraken]

The PC-12 NGX has a reputation second to none. I’d choose the PC-12 NGX

[billhart]

Your statement "But the most eye-catching configuration is a 2 seat, 2 lie flat-bed configuration." mischaracterizes the purpose of the PC-12 in this layout. 
They are not "flat-beds" for rest or comfort, but for medical patients.
This configuration is for Air Ambulance use with each of the seats dedicated for medical attendants to monitor and treat stretchered patients who can be loaded aboard in a fully prone position through the PC-12's unique cargo door. This is the exact reason the PC-12 and subsequently, the PC-24, are employed by Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service. Additionally, both planes being designed from the start to operate from short, unimproved airstrips makes them unrivaled in this capacity.

[gnufz]

Cessna developed a whole new aircraft and doesn't even match the performance of the old PC12NG. Yes, it flies 1, 000 ft higher - wow! And the cabin is 3in wider - wow again! ...but that's about it. The PC12NGX has 15% more range at a higher top speed and - best advantage - takeoff and landing distances are significantly shorter than the Denali's, which makes the PC12 the much more versatile utility aircraft that can use shorter runways, which gives it many more operation opportunities.

Weakest point however imho is the engine. The PT6 is a rugged, proven design, the newest of which has eliminated costly HSIs and has 25% longer TBO than the Denali's GE Catalyst. Also, GE and Cessna put emphasis on reliability, only citing GE's experience as proof. They advertise that GE has combined 855 parts into 12 components, which actually only means that GE is securing the after-market business, as instead of changing a single part that may be defunct, you have to swap a whole component. This naturally saves a few bucks in labor cost but pushes the price tag for spares manifold. That might reduce downtime for an aircraft in commercial operations, but that is only really relevant for airline-like utilization of the A/C. Neither Cessna nor GE state anything about HSIs in particular or maintenance cost in general on their website. ...I wonder why?!?

So - The Denali has an edge over the PC12 in few categories, but all in all the PC12 is far more versatile and has better performance at probably lower operating cost. 

...and it's Swiss made!

Is the Denali 'The New Leader' rising as Cessna advocates on its website?
I don't think so.

[avorbob]

You totally forgot to mention the huge cargo door on the PC-12. Very versatile and is popular with air ambulance operators. That is the 2 bed interior that you mentioned. It can fit 2 patients on stretchers.

[emickkart]

You neglected to mention that the pc-12 has off-field landing and take off capabilities where is the Cessna does not. Also the takeoff and landing distances are different.

[familystuedeli-plueschke]

The main selling point of the Denali is that Pilatus is not able to match demand and will have a significant backlog at the time the Denali is launched. Pilatus doesn't seem to be planning on increasing PC-12 production, focusing on the PC-24 instead.
Other than that, the Denali doesn't seem to offer any real advantages. It aimed at trumping the NG model and Pilatus caught it on the wrong foot by setting the bar higher again with the NGX.

[rfresh]

The G3000 is an advantage for Denali. A pilot friend of mine who flys the PC-12 NG and other G3000 aircraft said the glass in the PC-12 has issues. He said the G3000 is superior avionics. However, now that the PC-12 has FADEC for its PT6 engine, I see that as an advantage over the Denali. I’d still buy a PC-12 NG over the Denali.

[mikemichigan]

Include take off and landing distances as well as stall speeds. Thanx

[TheBlkpilot]

I’d prefer the Denali. You can’t question the superior quality of a Beechcraft. Some airplanes aren’t meant for utility work, some are designed for luxury and style and that’s the difference. You don’t see a lot of high quality airplanes hauling cargo around.

[danielperrotta]

Easier to digest with side by side fact sheets

[MarcPagan]

From a former airline pilot....thanks for an interesting video.
I'll take both :)
The big question for me ....the GE engine of the PT 6 on the PC 12 is a known product, that's earned it's excellent reputation

[MrSuzuki]

I fly the PC-12NG professionally as my retirement job from the airlines. Flying the Pilatus is a dream! I typically fly an 1, 120 nm route from Mount Pocono, PA to Key West, Florida and can easily make it non-stop with an hour and 20 minutes reserve fuel while carrying 8 passengers and 2 pilots. The PT6 engine has been in use on airplanes since at least 1964 with a stelllar safety record. How long has this GE wanna be PT6 been in use? The Denali is obvisously a Wal-mart knock off version of my airplane. And why did they choose the relatively unproven GE engine when the Pratt & Whitney PT6 would have been the logical choice?

[ChadBrinkerhoff]

Cessna Denali is just a knock off. Almost identical. It's going to be hard to beat the Pilatus.

[begoodamerica]

Pilatus is a awesome plane to fly. I don't think Cessna will be able to take away much of the Market Share. I wonder the price difference is and the hourly cost.

[biopsiesbeanieboos]

I have flown pc12 and king-air turbo props in my GA days. I always felt that the PC12 has done for SE turboprops what Beech did for twin turboprops with the KingAir, and Boeing did with the 747. Basically defined and lead the market. Every other aircraft is just playing eternal catchup.

[bens]

The "lie flat bed" is a med evac configuration. Those are medical stretchers

[UncleKennysPlace]

Two years after this video, the true performance specs of the Denali aren't yet known! Finally it has flown, at least. The Catalyst should, in theory, be somewhat more efficient, but a few percent won't make the difference.

[rickynazario]

I prefer to wait until the Cessna Denali hit the market and give it a few years ...then we can have a fair comparison between planes.

[Booboobear-eoes]

I can't decide which one I want. So I'll just buy both.

[albertosantamaria]

The Cessna Denali looks like a carbon copy of the Pilatus, I still prefer the Pilatus!