The
CessnaThe Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
205,
206, and
207, known variously as the
Super Skywagon,
Skywagon,
Stationair, and
Super Skylane are a family of single engine, general aviation aircraft with fixed landing gear used in commercial air service and also for personal use. The family was originally developed from the popular retractable-gear
Cessna 210The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
.
The line's combination of a powerful engine, rugged construction and a large cabin has made these aircraft popular
bush planeA bush airplane is a general aviation aircraft serving remote, undeveloped areas of a country, usually the African bush, Alaskan and Canadian tundra or the Australian Outback...
s. Cessna describes the 206 as "the sport-utility vehicle of the air." These airplanes are also used for aerial photography, skydiving and other utility purposes. They can also be equipped with floats, amphibious floats and skis. Alternatively, they can be fitted with luxury appointments for use as a personal air transport.
Between the start of production in 1962 and 2006 the total Cessna 205, 206 and 207 production has been 8509 aircraft so far.
Development
Cessna 205
The Cessna 205 was introduced late in 1962 as a 1963
model yearThe model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
. The six-seat aircraft was essentially a Cessna 210 with fixed landing gear and with changes to the crew and passenger door arrangement and was officially designated by Cessna as a "Model 210-5". The 205 retained the early 210’s engine cowling bulge, originally where the 210 stowed its nosewheel on retraction. This distinctive cowling was made more streamlined on the later Cessna 206.
The 205 is powered by a
Continental IO-470-SThe Continental O-470 engine is a family of carbureted six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. The family includes the E165, E185 and the E225 engines...
engine producing 260 hp.
The 205 was only produced in two model years - 1963 and 1964 before being replaced in production by the Cessna 206. A total of 576 Cessna 205s were produced.
Cessna 206
The six-seat Model 206 was introduced as a 1964 model and was built until 1986, when Cessna halted production of its single-engine product. It was then re-introduced in 1998 and remains in production in 2008.
There were many sub-variants, including the U206, P206 all certified to CAR3 standards and later 206H certified to
FARThe Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
Part 23.
The total Model 206 production between 1964 and 2004 was 6581 aircraft.
Cessna U206
The original 1964 model was the U206, powered by a 285 hp
Continental IO-520-A-External links:...
. The “U” designation indicated “utility” and this model was equipped with a pilot side door and large clamshell rear door serving the back two rows of seats, allowing easy loading of over-sized cargo.
There was a TU206 turbocharged version powered by the
Continental TSIO-520-C-External links:...
engine producing 285 hp. After 1967 the turbo TU206 was powered by a TSIO-520-F of 300 hp (the extra 15 hp were obtained by turning the engine at a higher rpm, and was only allowed for five minutes. Due to the large propeller diameter, the additional engine speed meant that the propeller tips were pushed to transonic speeds, which required much more power. Thus the extra 15 hp did not produce much performance improvement but did produce unpleasant noise levels.
From 1964 to 1969 the U206 was known as the “Super Skywagon”. From 1970 it was named the “Stationair”, a contraction of “Station Wagon of the Air”, which is a good description of the aircraft's intended role. Sub-variants were designated U206 to U206G.
In 1977 the U206 had its engine upgraded to a Continental IO-520-F of 300 hp (continuous rating, obtained at a lower speed than the previous IO-520-F) and the TU206 powerplant was changed to the TSIO-520-M producing 310 hp.
Production of all versions of the U206 was halted in 1986 when Cessna stopped manufacturing all piston engine aircraft. A total of 5208 U206s had been produced.
Cessna P206
1965 saw the P206 added to the line. In this case the “P” stood for “people”, as the P206 had passenger doors similar to the Cessna 210, from which it was derived, on both sides.
The P206 was produced from 1965 to 1970 and was powered by a Continental IO-520-A of 285 hp. There was a turbocharged model designated TP206 which was powered by a Continental TSIO-520-A also of 285 hp.
647 P206s were produced under the name “Super Skylane” which made it sound like a version of the
Cessna 182The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats, installed in the baggage area....
, which it was not. Sub-variants were designated P206 to P206E.
Cessna 206H
After a production hiatus of twelve years, Cessna started manufacturing a new version of the venerable 206 in 1998, with the introduction of the newly certified 206H. The “H” model is generally similar to the previous U206 configuration, with a pilot entry door and a rear double clamshell door for access to the middle and back seats. The "H" is marketed under the name "Stationair".
The 206H is powered by a
Lycoming IO-540-AC1A|-Specifications :-See also:-External links:...
powerplant producing 300 hp. The turbocharged T206H is powered by a
Lycoming TSIO-540-AJ1A|-Specifications :-See also:-External links:...
engine of 310 hp.
Even though the Cessna 206H is certified as a six seat aircraft in its country of origin, the Canadian aviation regulator,
Transport CanadaTransport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
has only certified it to carry five people in
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. This is due to concerns about passenger egress through the rear clamshell door with the flaps extended. Cessna addressed one part of this problem early on, after a flight-test aircraft was damaged when the pilot extended the flaps while taxiing, and his passenger had the clamshell door open (for ventilation; it was a hot summer day). A switch was added to the flap actuation circuit which disabled the flaps when the doors were open. The other part of the problem is that if the flaps are already down, the passenger must perform the complicated procedure of opening the front part as far as possible (about 2 in (5.1 cm)) then open the rear door and restow the rear door handle. This then gives enough clearance to open the rear part of the door.
Both the 206H and the T206H remain in production in 2008. By the end of 2004 Cessna had produced 221 206Hs and 505 T206Hs, for a total production of 726 "H" models.
Cessna has indicated that they do not intend to produce a P206-configuration aircraft in the future, due to lack of market demand.
Cessna 207
The Model 207 was a seven and later eight seat development of the 206, achieved by stretching the design further to allow space for more seats. The nose section was extended 18" by adding a constant-section nose baggage compartment between the passenger compartment and the engine firewall; the aft section was extended by 44" by inserting a constant-area section in the fuselage area just aft of the aft wing attach point. Thus the propeller's ground clearance was unaffected by the change (the nosewheel had moved forward the same distance as the propeller), but the tail moved aft relative to the mainwheel position, which made landing (without striking the tailskid on the runway) a greater challenge. The move gave that airplane a larger turning radius, since the distance between mainwheels and nosewheel increased by 18 inches (457.2 mm) but the nosewheel's maximum allowed deflection was not increased.
The 207 was introduced as a 1969 model featuring a Continental IO-520-F engine of 300 hp. A turbocharged version was equipped with a TSIO-520-G of the same output.
At the beginning of production the model was called a Cessna 207 “Skywagon”, but in 1977 the name was changed to “Stationair 7”. 1977 also saw a change in engine on the turbocharged version to a Continental TSIO-520-M producing 310 hp – the same engine used in the TU206 of the same vintage.
The 207 added a seat in 1980 and was then known as the “Stationair 8”. Production of the 207 was completed in 1984, just two years before U206 production halted. A total of 626 Cessna 207s were manufactured.
The Cessna Model 207 has been popular with air taxi companies, particularly on short runs where its full seating capacity could be used. Very few of these aircraft have seen private use.
Modifications
In April 2007
ThielertThielert AG is a German financial holding company which has owned engine development and manufacturing companies. It is headquartered in Hamburg. Companies owned were Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH with sites in Lichtenstein, Saxony and Altenburg, Thuringia and Superior Air Parts, Inc. in Dallas,...
announced that the
European Aviation Safety AgencyThe European Aviation Safety Agency is an agency of the European Union with offices in Cologne, Germany, which has been given regulatory and executive tasks in the field of civilian aviation safety. It was created on 15 July 2002, and it reached full functionality in 2008, taking over functions...
had granted a
Supplemental Type CertificateA Supplemental Type Certificate is an FAA approved major modification or repair to an existing type certified aircraft, engine or propeller. As it adds to the existing type certificate, it is deemed 'supplemental'.-Purpose:...
(STC) for conversion of Cessna 206s to the Thielert V-8 diesel powerplant. The STC allows conversion of the following models: U206F and TU206F with the 300 hp powerplant, and the U206G, TU206G, 206H and T206H with the 310 hp version. This modification does not require any changes to the engine cowling. In May 2008, Thielert entered insolvency proceedings, so the future availability of this diesel conversion is uncertain.
Soloy Aviation Solutions offers a
turbopropA turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
conversion for some 206/207 models based on the 418 shp Allison C20S engine/gearbox package. However, extensive engine cowl modifications are required.
Atlantic Aero offers an FAA
STCA Supplemental Type Certificate is an FAA approved major modification or repair to an existing type certified aircraft, engine or propeller. As it adds to the existing type certificate, it is deemed 'supplemental'.-Purpose:...
conversion to the
Continental IO-550The Continental IO-550 engine is a large family of fuel injected six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that were developed for use in light aircraft by Teledyne Continental Motors...
powerplant. No cowl modifications are required.
Both Kenmore Air (Edo floats) and Wipaire (Wipline floats) offer seaplane conversions.
Variants
205 (Model 210-5)
- Original 205 model, six seats, powered by a Continental IO-470-S
The Continental O-470 engine is a family of carbureted six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. The family includes the E165, E185 and the E225 engines...
of 260 hp, with a gross weight of 3300 lb (1,497 kg) landplane and certified on 14 June 1962 as a variant of the Cessna 210The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
.
205A (Model 210-5A)
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-470-S
The Continental O-470 engine is a family of carbureted six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. The family includes the E165, E185 and the E225 engines...
of 260 hp, with a gross weight of 3300 lb (1,497 kg) landplane and certified on 19 July 1963 as a variant of the Cessna 210.
206
- Original 206 model, six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3300 lb (1,497 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane and certified on 19 July 1963.
U206 Super Skywagon
- First U206 model, six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3300 lb (1,497 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane and certified on 8 October 1964.
P206
- First P206 model, six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3300 lb (1,497 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane and certified on 8 October 1964.
U206A
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 24 September 1965.
P206A
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 24 September 1965.
P206B
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 3 August 1966.
TU206A
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 December 1965.
TU206B
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 3 August 1966.
TP206A
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 December 1965.
TP206B
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 3 August 1966.
U206B
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 3 August 1966.
P206C
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 July 1967.
TP206C
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 July 1967.
P206D
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 18 September 1968.
TP206D
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 18 September 1968.
P206E
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-A
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 28 July 1969.
TP206E
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 28 July 1969.
U206C
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 July 1967.
TU206C
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 20 July 1967.
U206D
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 18 September 1968.
TU206D
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 18 September 1968.
U206E
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 28 July 1969.
TU206E
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 28 July 1969.
U206F
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 26 October 1971.
TU206F
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C
-External links:...
of 285 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3300 lb (1,497 kg) skiplane and certified on 26 October 1971.
U206G
- Six seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3500 lb (1,588 kg) seaplane and certified on 21 June 1976.
TU206G
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-M
-External links:...
of 310 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) seaplane, 3600 lb (1,633 kg) amphibian and certified on 21 June 1976.
206H
- Six seats, powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AC1A5
|-Specifications :-See also:-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane and certified on 26 November 1997.
T206H
- Six seats, powered by a turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AJ1A
|-Specifications :-See also:-External links:...
of 310 hp, with a gross weight of 3600 lb (1,633 kg) landplane and certified on 1 October 1998.
207 Skywagon
- Original 207 model, seven seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3800 lb (1,724 kg) landplane and certified on 31 December 1968.
T207 Turbo Skywagon
- Seven seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-G
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3800 lb (1,724 kg) landplane and certified on 31 December 1968.
207A Skywagon/Stationair 8
- Seven seats, powered by a Continental IO-520-F
-External links:...
of 300 hp, with a gross weight of 3800 lb (1,724 kg) landplane and certified on 12 July 1976. Certified for eight seats on 11 September 1979.
T207A Turbo Skywagon/Turbo Stationair 8
- Seven seats, powered by a turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-M
-External links:...
of 310 hp, with a gross weight of 3800 lb (1,724 kg) landplane and certified on 12 July 1976. Certified for eight seats on 11 September 1979.
Civil
The aircraft is popular with air charter companies and small cargo air carriers, and is operated by private individuals and companies. One of the largest Cessna 207 operators is
Yute Air AlaskaFlight Alaska is an American airline based in Bethel, Alaska, USA. It operates scheduled services to over 22 villages in Alaska and also provides charter services throughout Alaska. Its main base is Bethel Airport.-History:...
, which has a fleet of 12 aircraft.
Military
- Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
, six × U207
- Bolivian Air Force
The Bolivian Air Force is part of the Military of Bolivia.-History:By 1938 the Bolivian air force consisted of about 60 aircraft , and about 300 staff; the officers were...
, two × U206C and 7 × TU206G
- Chilean Air Force
The Chilean Air Force is the air force of Chile, a branch of the Chilean military.-History:The first step towards the current FACh was taken by Teniente Coronel Pedro Pablo Dartnell, when he founded the Servicio de Aviación Militar de Chile on December 20, 1910, being trained as a pilot in France...
, at least one U206
- Djibouti Air Force
The Djiboutian Air Force .Djibouti is situated on the eastern coast of Africa between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and covers 23.200 square kilometer. The Djibouti Air Force was formed after the independence of June 27 1977 as part of the Djibouti Army...
, one × U206G
- Ecuadorian Air Force
The Ecuadorian Air Force is the Air arm of the Military of Ecuador and responsible for the protection of the Ecuadorian airspace.-Mission:To develop the military air wing, in order to execute institutional objectives which guarantee sovereignty and contribute towards the nation's security and...
- Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
- Paraguayan Air Force 5 U206G
- Paraguayan Naval Aviation 4 U206A/C
- Paraguayan Army Aviation 2 U206G
- Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
Accidents
- December 4, 1971 – Eastern Airlines Flight 898 (a Douglas DC-9-31
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by...
) collided with a Cessna 206 (N2110F) while landing at Raleigh-Durham International AirportRaleigh-Durham International Airport is a public international airport located 4.5 miles northeast of the town of Morrisville in suburban Wake County, North Carolina, United States. The airport covers and operates three runways, providing direct service to 40 domestic and international...
. The Cessna crashed, killing 2 people on the plane, but the DC-9 landed safely.
Specifications (206H Stationair)
See also
External links