Cessna 206
The 206 was manufactured for years with a Continental IO-520 engine that produced 285 to 300 hp depending upon the particular model (205s are rare and only had 260 hp). It was offered with factory turbocharging on some models and was produced from 1962 (as the 205) until 1986. Cessna re-introduced the 206 in 1998 and switched engines to Lycomings that produced 300 hp. The re-introduced plane is still in production. Although the back seats are somewhat cramped, the 206 can haul six adults easily and it is this load carrying capacity that has made the 206 common in bush country. 206s can be fitted with floats. 206s are decent flying planes and are very stable. Their controls are a bit heavier than many planes, but they are by no means difficult to fly. Construction is semi-monocoque aluminum, much as the Cessna 180s and 185s.
The 206 will cruise at 150 mph (faster with turbocharging) and are decent short field performers, though they are not nearly as spritely as 180/185s and certainly nowhere near a Super Cub or Helio. 206s on floats seem to have to be coaxed into the air compared to float equipped 180/185s. Cessna offered a stretched version of the 206 with two more seats known as the 207 or Stationair 7, but only 626 were produced. The back seats in these planes are very cramped. These planes are not common and few are privately owned. Most have led very busy life as commuter airliners and 207s with total flying times over 10,000 hours is common. Soloy offers a turboprop conversion for the 205/206/207 series and these planes are fitted with an Allison turboprop. The engine produces 420 hp which alleviates some of the plane’s lethargy, but these conversions are rare. On balance the 206s were better six-seaters than 180/185s or Helios but, once again, they didn’t have the bush performance of these airplanes.
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