Cessna · 1966–1986
Cessna TU206 Turbo Stationair (1966-1986)
Specifications
Cruise
167KTAS
Range
700nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
1490lbs
Full-fuel payload
1,010lbs
Fuel Burn
18gph
Fuel Cap.
80gal
MPG
10.7mpg
Stall (Vs0)
58KIAS
T/O roll
950ft
Ldg roll
735ft
Power
310hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$200k
Range
$120k – $330k
Annual all-in
~$26k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (18 gph)
- $11,700
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $3,714
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $10,586
- Total per year
- $26,000
- Per flight hour
- $260
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 19,218 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.35/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- High-altitude performance: maintains full power to 26,500 ft service ceiling
- Bush/backcountry utility: 700–800 FPM climb from 6,000 ft density-altitude strips
- 1977–1986 models (TSIO-520-M): refined engine with 310 HP and automatic wastegate
- 6-seat utility platform: dual cargo doors enable unconventional loading
Weaknesses
- Higher engine overhaul cost ($48,000–$60,000 vs. $38,000–$48,000 for NA U206)
- Reduced useful load: turbo system adds 110 lbs of empty weight
- Lower TBO (1,400 hrs vs. 1,700 hrs non-turbo); demands disciplined cylinder management
- Turbocharger complexity: repair/replacement runs $5,000–$10,000; requires competent support
Overview
The 1966-1986 Cessna TU206 series is the turbocharged variant of the U206 -- combining the 6-seat, double-cargo-door utility airframe with a turbocharged Continental engine producing 285 HP (1966-1976) or 310 HP (1977-1986) to flight-level altitudes. The TU206 is the Alaska/Canada bush airplane: turbo capability for hot-and-high operations, the cargo door for utility loading, fixed gear for unimproved-strip operation. Approximately 2,200 examples were produced across the 21-year run.
The TU206 trades $25,000-$45,000 over the NA U206 in equivalent condition. The premium buys high-altitude capability (essential in mountain/bush operations) and faster cruise. Trade-offs: higher overhaul cost, more demanding cylinder management, slightly reduced useful load (-110 lbs vs U206 due to turbo system weight).
Engine Evolution
The TU206 used two main turbo engines across its 21-year run:
| Years | Engine | HP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966-1976 | TSIO-520-C | 285 | Original turbo, manual wastegate, later automatic |
| 1977-1986 | TSIO-520-M | 310 | +25 HP, refined cylinder cooling, automatic wastegate standard |
The 1977 transition to the TSIO-520-M brought a meaningful 25 HP increase along with improved durability. Most desirable TU206s are 1977-1986 production with the TSIO-520-M engine.
Variants & History
| Feature | U206 (NA) | TU206 (turbo) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine (1966-1976) | IO-520-F 300 HP | TSIO-520-C 285 HP turbo |
| Engine (1977-1986) | IO-520-F 300 HP | TSIO-520-M 310 HP turbo |
| Turbocharger | None | Single turbocharger |
| Service ceiling | 15,700 ft | 26,500 ft (+10,800) |
| Cruise (sea level) | 148 KTAS | 152 KTAS (+4) |
| Cruise (12,000 ft) | 140 KTAS (reduced power) | 170+ KTAS (full power) |
| Cruise (18,000 ft) | N/A | 170 KTAS |
| Empty weight | ~2,000 lbs | ~2,110 lbs (+110) |
| Useful load | ~1,600 lbs | ~1,490 lbs (-110) |
| Field overhaul | $38,000-$48,000 | $48,000-$60,000 |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,400 hrs (-300) |
2001 Cessna 206 Stationair
T206H Turbo · Load Hauler · Fresh Annual · No Damage
Performance
Where the Turbo Pays Off
Turbocharging on a U206 is meaningful in three scenarios:
1. Bush/Backcountry Operations at Altitude
Hot-and-high operations from 6,000-9,000 ft density-altitude strips (typical Idaho, Colorado, Montana mountain strips in summer) require the turbo. NA U206s lose 30-35% power at these density altitudes; the turbo maintains full power, with 800+ FPM climb still available.
2. Float Operations from Mountain Lakes
Float-equipped U206s operating from high-elevation Canadian lakes (Yukon, NWT, BC interior) require turbo capability. Many Alaskan operations use TU206s on amphibious floats for this reason.
3. High-Altitude Cross-Country
Above 12,000-13,000 ft, NA U206 cruise drops to ~135 KTAS as the engine loses manifold pressure. TU206 maintains 165-170 KTAS at FL170, with significantly improved weather-avoidance margin.
Performance
167 KTAS cruise at FL170 (75% power), 1,010 FPM sea-level climb, 18.0 GPH at max cruise. Service ceiling 26,500 ft (most pilots operate FL170-200 due to oxygen workload).
Real-world bush operation: takeoff from a 6,000 ft density altitude strip with 1,200 lbs of payload, 700-800 FPM initial climb, full power maintained to 16,000 ft. NA U206 in the same configuration: 400-500 FPM climb, full power only to ~4,000 ft.
1977 Cessna 210 Centurion
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Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / mid-time turbo | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Flying but tired | $130,000-$185,000 |
| Well-maintained mid-time | $175,000-$240,000 |
| Restored / upgraded with floats | $230,000-$360,000 |
TU206G (1977-1986) trades $30,000-$60,000 above equivalent U206G due to turbo + 310 HP. Float-equipped TU206s on amphibious floats can exceed $400,000 in current market.
ADs & Common Problems
U206 universal concerns apply. TU206-specific:
- Turbocharger condition: Inspect for shaft play, oil seepage, blade damage. Turbo replacement: $5,000-$10,000.
- Cylinder CHT history: Review engine monitor data for CHT excursions above 380°F. Recurring high CHTs suggest cylinder problems ahead.
- Exhaust system condition: Turbo exhausts run hotter and crack more frequently. Inspect for cracks, weeping, weld failures.
- Wastegate operation: Verify smooth wastegate operation. Wastegate overhaul: $1,500-$3,000.
- Hot-and-high operation history: Western US / Alaska / Canada based TU206s are common; verify they were operated within turbo limits at altitude.
- Cool-down practice: Review pilot reports for consistent 3-5 minute cool-down. Aircraft owned by buyers who don't cool-down properly have shorter turbo life.
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