Power Players: The Turboprop and Jet Market Today

With the sales volume of general aviation turbine aircraft in 2025 best described as solid, plus a large backlog of orders, FLYING took a closer look at the capabilities of the individual aircraft on the market. What became clear is that prospective buyers have an amazingly broad range of options, spanning a wide spectrum of performance and features.

Here’s a look at a selection of turbine aircraft available today, with a particular focus on those suited for single-pilot operation.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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Turboprops

Daher

(tbm.aero)

If ever there were a one-stop shopping center for everything single-engine turboprop, it’s got to be Daher. It offers two load-hauling singles as well as a pair of hot rods with a 330-knot cruise. 

Daher’s Kodiak 100 Series III is the current evolution of the original Quest Kodiak that was designed to be a true bushplane with a turbine engine because jet fuel is available where avgas isn’t in many places around the world. Originally certificated in 2007, the airplane has undergone various upgrades culminating in the Series III airplane. 

Equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, a full fuel payload advertised as 1,200 pounds, the Series III can carry as many as 10 people, has a maximum range of 1,132 nm at economy cruise (135 ktas), max cruise speed of 174 ktas, and can get in and out of 1,000-foot airstrips. The 750 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 is optimized for operations at
altitudes where occupants don’t need supplemental oxygen. An optional pod increases cargo space, and the airplane can be mounted on floats. 

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Daher introduced a larger, faster, aerodynamically cleaner model, the Kodiak 900, in 2022. The cabin is 3.9 feet longer, and max cruise speed is 210 ktas. Also equipped with a monstrous cargo door, as many as 10 seats and a faired-in cargo pod, the Kodiak 900’s full-fuel payload is advertised as 1,546 pounds, giving a range of 969 nm at 210 ktas. With a 900 hp P&W PT6A-140A engine, the Kodiak 900 has a takeoff and landing roll of under 1,500 feet.

The new flagship of Daher’s TBM product line is the TBM 980, launched in January with deliveries underway. It integrates Garmin 3000 Prime avionics with a touchscreen-controlled flight deck. The new avionics are in addition to Daher’s e-copilot concentration of technological innovation and automated systems. The e-copilot function includes flight envelope monitoring, advanced weather detection, icing protection, and an emergency autoland function. 

Daher’s TBM 980 is the direct follow-on to its TBM 960, launched in 2022 and still available in Daher’s aircraft catalog. Both are 850-hp, 330-knot aircraft that are faster than some light jets, with no type rating required. Range is 1,200 nm at FL310 with four adults (they can seat six). A large entry door and flexible interior allows the loading of lots of baggage or cargo by removing some of the passenger seats. 

The P&W PT6E-66XT engine that powers both aircraft has a thermodynamic rating of 1,844 hp, derated to 850, which allows high and hot airport operations that many jets can’t match. The engine turns a five-bladed Hartzell Raptor
composite propeller, controlled by a digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EEPC), which is one reason the engine TBO has been increased from 3,500 hours to 5,000. 

Epic Aircraft

(epicaircraft.com)

Epic Aircraft’s blisteringly fast (333 knots) six-seat E1000 AX started life quite unconventionally for a 1,200-hp pressurized turboprop that can fly at FL 340—it was a kitplane. 

Following certification, the airplane evolved into the current AX version with Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck with synthetic vision, envelope protection, autothrottle, and Emergency Autoland. 

The all-composite airframe is not subject to pressurization cycle life limits, has a useful load of 2,860 pounds, a full-fuel payload of a whopping 1,170 pounds, and NBAA range of 1,560 nm. 

The unusually roomy cabin can comfortably seat pilots as tall as 6-foot-8, and passengers do not need to interlace their legs in the cabin’s club seats. The large passenger windows have CoolView windows from Lee Aerospace and block at least 73 percent of infrared rays at altitude, helping cool the cabin. 

Pilatus Aircraft

(pilatus-aircraft.com)

Often referred to as the “Flying Turbine Suburban,” the Pilatus PC-12 Pro is the most recent iteration in the go-anywhere, carry-anything PC-12 line developed in conjunction with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. 

The long fuselage allows seating for as many as 11 occupants, although the huge cargo door on the aft left side of the cabin creates loading flexibility that often means six to eight seats and a large cargo area. Yes, you can carry motorcycles plus your family in the cabin. 

The P&W PT6E-67XP engine is flat rated at 1,200 hp, and swings a five-bladed, fully reversing Hartzell propeller. The combination is run by a dual-channel Electronic Propeller and Engine Control System—think full FADEC for engine and propeller control. Payload with full fuel is 1,093 pounds. NBAA range with that loading is 1,665 nm at max cruise, 290 ktas. Service ceiling is 30,000 feet. 

The big change with the PC-12 Pro is the installation of the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite that brings all the pilot assist, Autoland and workload-reducing features of the Garmin system while marrying a trackball to control the integrated flight deck as was used in all previous versions of the PC-12 with Honeywell avionics. 

Piper Aircraft

(piper.com)

In November 2000, Piper delivered the first Meridian, a single-engine turboprop based on the pressurized airframe of the piston-engine Malibu and Mirage. Soon renamed the M500 for its 500 hp engine, it was an immediate success. Not one to rest on its laurels, Piper addressed the need to carry more fuel and introduced the 600 hp M600 in 2016, offering 50 percent more range, 100 pounds more cabin payload, and a cruise speed of 274 knots. 

Customers wanted more. Piper responded with the M700 Fury—a 700 hp P&W PT6A-52 turning a five-blade, reversing Hartzell prop, with autothrottle generating a max cruise of 301 knots and max range of 1,852 nm. Max operating altitude is 30,000 feet. Takeoff distance is 1,994 feet. Useful load, depending on options, is 2,265 pounds. 

The upgraded Garmin 3000 integrated flight deck includes Electronic Stability and Protection, Automatic Level Mode, which returns the airplane to level flight with the push of one button and Emergency Autoland. 

Textron Aviation

(txtav.com)

It’s hard to believe that it was over 40 years ago that Cessna delivered the first truly successful single-engine turboprop. Designed as a rugged utility aircraft with the ability to operate in the bush with low operating costs, the Cessna Caravan line is renowned for its flexibility—it can go from a short grass strip and then fit into the flow at any major airport.

Not surprisingly, it attracted the attention of Federal Express to whom the operating economies became obvious so fast that Cessna was pressed to meet the demand. A Dave Ellis design, the Caravan soon gained favor for its ease of handling, and the ability to withstand the rigors of night freight ops. 

The Cessna 208 platform has evolved through multiple variants, with current models including the Cessna 208 Caravan and the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX.

The 208B Grand Caravan EX has a max takeoff weight of 8,807 pounds, full fuel max payload of 1,286 pounds, range of 912 nm, and max cruise speed of 185 knots. The cabin is spacious with a luxurious, wide flight deck and the ability to carry as many as 14 occupants. The max payload is 3,190 pounds.

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine develops 867 shaft hp (shp) and turns a four-blade, aluminum McCauley propeller with reversing and full-feathering capability. The Caravan family features the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite.

Beech Aircraft was the first of the turboprop pioneers to be successful in general aviation. It started delivering the King Air in 1964 and promptly captured and defined the twin-engine turboprop market. According to the annual shipments and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Textron delivered a total of 23 King Air 260 aircraft and 23 King Air 360 aircraft in 2025.

As with all King Airs, the airplanes are straightforward to fly, have comfortable cabins, and provide a solid ride that has endeared them to owners and passengers for over 60 years. The airplanes have much in common, but a potential buyer should do some homework as to the capabilities of each to see which one better fits the desired mission. 

The King Air 260 has a maximum cruise speed of 310 knots, seats for as many as nine occupants, and a max range of 1,720 nm.
Useful load is advertised at 3,760 pounds. Everything is hauled aloft by a pair of 850 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 engines turning four-blade Hartzell composite, reversing, full-feathering props. Maximum operating altitude is 35,000 feet, and  max range is 1,720 miles. Avionics include a three-touchscreen Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics suite.

The slightly longer King Air 360 can seat up to 11 occupants, has a max cruise speed of 312 knots and max range of 1,806 nm. Useful load is advertised as 5,145 pounds, with full-fuel payload 1,534 pounds.

Power comes from two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines developing 1,050 shp. The King Air 360 features McCauley C780 propellers with a lightweight scimitar blade design, four aluminum swept blades, and 105-inch diameter. Maximum operating altitude is 35,000 feet. Equipped with autothrottles, it boasts a Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics suite.

Jets

Cirrus Aircraft

(cirrusaircraft.com)

Cirrus delivered its first Vision Jet nearly 10 years ago. Since then, over 700 of the single-pilot, single-engine jets have gone into customer hands. What is of special interest is that a significant proportion of the buyers are first-time jet owners stepping up from a piston-engine Cirrus, something Cirrus had foretold and thus made the design of its SR20 and SR22 as compatible as possible with the design of the SF50 Vision Jet, easing the transition. 

The SF50’s max cruise of 317 knots is slower than some of the single-engine turboprops, yet its max range is 1,275 nm, max altitude is 31,000 feet, and its roomy cabin can seat seven. Useful load is 2,446 pounds and 564 pounds may be carried in the cabin with full fuel. Power is provided by a single Williams FJ33-5A jet producing as much as 1,900 pounds of thrust. 

Avionics are the sophisticated Garmin Perspective Touch+ integrated flight deck that includes autothrottle, Safe Return Emergency Autoland, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). CAPS is credited by the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association with saving 290 lives in 144 crashes, including two SF50 Vision Jets. 

Cirrus just announced the third generation of the Vision Jet, the SF50 Gen 3, with ATC datalink, more comfortable seating, and a number of cabin upgrades. 

Embraer

(embraer.com)

The Embraer Phenom 300E is the fastest and longest-ranged, single-pilot jet in production—and the best-selling light jet for 14 years. Max speed is 464 ktas (Mach 0.8) with a max operating altitude of 45,000 feet, yet it can operate from a 3,000-foot runway. Max payload is 2,636 pounds, and it can carry 1,597 pounds in the cabin when loaded with full fuel. Max range is 2,010 nm. It can be configured to carry as many as 10 passengers. 

The Phenom 300E is powered by two full FADEC Pratt & Whitney PW535E1 engines developing 3,478 pounds of thrust. TBO is 5,000 hours. 

The avionics suite is driven by the Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch integrated flight deck with features such as autothrottles, Emergency Descent Mode, GWX75 radar with automatic scanning capabilities, and Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting system to increase pilot awareness during a critical phase of flight.  

Embraer’s general aviation jet line also includes its only other single-pilot jet, the Phenom 100EX, a seven-passenger, Mach 0.7, single-pilot jet with a 1,178 nm range and the ability to operate off 3,000-foot runways; the Praetor 500E, capable of carrying seven to nine passengers at Mach 0.83 and a range of 3,340 nm; as well as the Praetor 600E, which can carry eight to 12 passengers at Mach 0.83 and with a range of 4,018 nm. 

Honda

(hondajet.com)

The current version of the Honda Jet HA-420, which debuted in 2015, is the Elite II. It features increased gross weight, shorter takeoff distance, and range increased to 1,547 nm. Power is provided by two full-FADEC GE Honda HF 120 jet engines, each developing 2,050 pounds of thrust and mounted above the wing instead of to the fuselage.

The benefits include more efficient aerodynamics and the largest cabin in its class. Max cruise is 422 ktas, and max altitude is FL 430, where the automatic pressurization holds the cabin at 8,000 feet. Max payload is 1,400 pounds, which still allows two-thirds fuel, and it can carry as many as eight occupants.

Avionics are driven by the Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck, which includes autothrottles, Emergency Autoland, Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System, automatic anti-ice, and automatic ground spoilers.

Pilatus Aircraft

(pilatus-aircraft.com)

Recognizing the success of the PC-12 go-anywhere turboprop, the Swiss engineers at Pilatus developed a single-pilot twinjet with an even larger cargo door and a cruise speed that could compete with other light jets plus the almost unknown capability in jets—using unimproved runways. 

The resulting PC-24 can seat as many as 10 people in the cabin, has a range of 2,000 nm, a high-speed cruise of 440 ktas (Mach 0.74), a useful load of 7,281 pounds, and a full-fuel payload of 1,060 pounds. Power comes from a pair of Williams FJ44-4A-QPM jets, each developing 3,420 pounds of thrust. 

The avionics in what Pilatus describes as its Advanced Cockpit Environment are powered by the Honeywell Apex system, based on its Primus Epic system that uses a small fleet of computers to manage and integrate all systems of the aircraft. It uses four 12-inch displays with a PFD in front of each pilot and situational awareness information displayed on two MFDs between the yokes. 

Textron Aviation

(txtav.com)

In addition to being a one-stop shop for turboprops, Textron/Cessna is Jets-R-Us for general aviation with its wide selection of business jets, selling more than any other company. 

In addition to a line of three, larger two-crew jets, it offers three single-pilot flying machines with engines that go whoosh. We’ll focus on the smallest of the single-pilot models, the Citation M2 Gen2, and give some information on the remainder of the fleet. 

The Cessna 525 Citation M2 Gen2 is considered an entry-level jet, focusing on pilot and passenger comfort and productivity. With a max takeoff weight of 10,700 pounds and a useful load of 3,810 pounds, it can seat up to eight, operate from 4,000-foot runways, cruise at 404 knots and has a max range of 1,550 nm. The engines are Williams International FJ44-1AP-21s. Last year, the aircraft was certified with Garmin autothrottles, enhancing the light jet’s capabilities. 

The Cessna 525B Citation CJ3 Gen2 can carry up to 10 occupants, has a max range of 2,040 nm and a useful load of 5,530 pounds. The Cessna 525C Citation CJ4 Gen2 can carry 11 occupants, has a max range of 2,165 nm and can cruise at 451 knots. 

The next generation of Cessna Citation light jets—the Citation CJ4 Gen3, Citation CJ3 Gen3, and the M2 Gen3—are in development.

 In addition to Garmin’s Emergency Autoland technology, which will be included in all three new aircraft, the Citation CJ4 Gen3 features new next-generation Garmin G3000 Prime avionics. The Citation CJ4 Gen3 is expected to enter service this year while the Citation CJ3 Gen3 and Citation M2 Gen3 are anticipated to follow in 2027. 

Along with its light jets, the Textron Cessna Citation lineup includes the Cessna Citation Ascend with Garmin G5000
avionics, autothrottles and can carry as many as 12 passengers at 441 ktas; the Citation Latitude, which can transport nine passengers at Mach 0.8; and the Citation Longitude that can haul 12 occupants at Mach 0.84.

The Big Iron 

As we focused on single-pilot jets, we’ll just comment that Bombardier (Challenger 3500, 650, Global 5500/6000/6500/7500/8000), Boeing (BBJ 737-7, -8 and -9), and Gulfstream (280, 500, 600, 650, ER, 700 and 800) are the big dogs in the two-crew bizjet world, and most have the range necessary to fly the Atlantic nonstop. The Bombardier Global 8000 is the world’s fastest non-military jet with a max cruise speed of Mach 0.95.

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This feature first appeared in the April Issue 969 of the FLYING print edition.