PC-12 or King Air 200
- Thread starter Trust Me Im a Pilot
- Start date
As one of those in the unique position of being both the owner and the chief pilot I faced this choice and went with the B200 King Air six years ago and have never looked back. It is reliable, maintenance is reasonable and my wife will come on business trips with me-she is weather sensitive and will not fly in serious IFR conditions on a single. The KA B200 is just a pleasure to own and fly-she is also my CFO
Jeff_S_KDTW
New Member
Do you have it owned through your company or personally?
Do you mind sharing your operating costs, generally?
Shhhh not while im flyin
New Member
Michael95U
Well-Known Member
We are currently in this position on our 135 side of the business (Siegel Aviation). We have a gentleman who is looking at a KA 200, KA 90GT, and a PC-12. We will be operating it charter and private use. The problem we ran into was liability insurance coverage. When you start looking for a $25M=$50M smooth policy, the underwriters are looking for two engines. They will write it on a PC-12, but it is going to cost around 30-50% more than for the KA 90 or 200.
Go with two engines. That is what we are going to do.
Michael
Go with two engines. That is what we are going to do.
Michael
Jimmy_Norton
Well-Known Member
What is the fatal accident rate of the KA200 vs the PC-12? Last I heard it was a dead heat, but I'm not really sure where to find the stats.
I do know that no one has died from an engine failure in a PC-12.
I do know that no one has died from an engine failure in a PC-12.
CK
Well-Known Member
There have only been three fatal accidents in the PC-12. One was an owner pilot who screwed up an approach, another was a pro who got spatial disoriantation after departure. The final accident was a simulated engine out after departure.
Alex.
Jimmy_Norton
Well-Known Member
So my point is made, these fatal crashes have had nothing to do with the number of engines. I bet you $1 that at least one KA200 has had a Vmc rollover after an engine failure. There have been crashes because of engine failure, but none have been fatal.
Also, I don't believe there have been any fatal accidents due to engine problems with the TBM either.
In the case of the PC-12, the 'two engines is safer' argument does not hold up.
Maurus
The Great Gazoo
Considering the King Air has been in production longer, I would expect it to have more accidents.
And yes, PC-12's do have engine problems.
Jimmy_Norton
Well-Known Member
The comparison to make is the fatal crash per hour rate between the PC-12 and the KA200, but I'm not sure where to find those numbers.
I never said the PC-12's have never had engine problems, I said there has never been a fatal crash due to an engine failure.
Gumps
New Member
(I've never flown either) But... the first time I was looking over a PC12 on the ramp, I asked the pilots if they noticed anything odd on the climb out. When one asked "why," I pulled the inlet plug out of the intake. It just wedged it's self up against the fence in the back of the inlet and stayed put.
On the other side of the coin, (help me out if you know the facts.) A PC12 pilot mentioned a problem with the electric flaps. It seems they occasionally pop a breaker not accessible from the right seat. That might get hairy on a go-around with all of that drag out there.
Me thinks the high performance single vs. twin debate is as old as the Pitch/Power one. Or Downwind turn theory, Tread mill, Mary Ann or Ginger, Tastes great/Less filling, etc.
For the record, Mary Ann.
On the other side of the coin, (help me out if you know the facts.) A PC12 pilot mentioned a problem with the electric flaps. It seems they occasionally pop a breaker not accessible from the right seat. That might get hairy on a go-around with all of that drag out there.
Me thinks the high performance single vs. twin debate is as old as the Pitch/Power one. Or Downwind turn theory, Tread mill, Mary Ann or Ginger, Tastes great/Less filling, etc.
For the record, Mary Ann.
On some of the older PC-12's, if you ran the gear (electro-hydraulic) and the flaps (electric) at the same time, you'd blow pop that CB. The flaps on that thing extend from about 1 foot under the fuselage to within 4-5 feet from the wingtip, so there's quite a bit of airflow on them when you're moving them. The motor would just quit and pop the CB if you were running the flap motor and the gear at the same time.
In later models, this problem was solved, but typically we still waiting for the flaps to retract/extend to the selected position prior to swinging the gear.
Also, a go-around with flaps in the "typical" landing position of 15 or 30 degrees wouldn't be too bad. The flaps are Fowler flaps and create a huge amount of lift. Now, if you were at flaps 40, things might get fun.
midwestpilot
New Member
Ah yes the twin versus the single, well I have flown both and they are both fine aircraft, they have there pro's and cons. The PC-12 is cheaper to operate. There is an company that has 30+ of these aircraft ( Alpha Flying) they are doing a great business with them and there are alot of owners that have bought them. It is the best selling turbo prop. The fact that you have to get on a waiting list to buy a new one is proof positive of its popularity. I have spoke with quite a few people who were switching from a 200 to a pc-12 and the engine is not a big deal.
It is an aircraft that is quite capable and one of the few that has the ability to make it back to the runway should the fire go out. It has more cubic feet in the back than a 200.
All that being said they both are good quality aircraft and both come with risk that could bite you.
Both use a PT6 wich to me is one of the most bullet proof engines.
And the PC-12 will do a 40 flap go around just fine Ive done it.
It is an aircraft that is quite capable and one of the few that has the ability to make it back to the runway should the fire go out. It has more cubic feet in the back than a 200.
All that being said they both are good quality aircraft and both come with risk that could bite you.
Both use a PT6 wich to me is one of the most bullet proof engines.
And the PC-12 will do a 40 flap go around just fine Ive done it.
