Cessna · 1964–1986
Cessna U206 Stationair (1964-1986)
Specifications
Cruise
148KTAS
Range
600nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
1600lbs
Full-fuel payload
1,120lbs
Fuel Burn
14.5gph
Fuel Cap.
80gal
MPG
11.7mpg
Stall (Vs0)
58KIAS
T/O roll
900ft
Ldg roll
735ft
Power
300hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Fixed
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$175k
Range
$95k – $295k
Annual all-in
~$22k/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 (14.5 gph)
- $9,425
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $2,353
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $10,222
- Total per year
- $22,000
- Per flight hour
- $220
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 17,032 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.29/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
- 1,600 lb useful load — genuine heavy-hauling capability
- Double cargo door enables stretcher/bulk loading — defining bush utility feature
- 300 HP IO-520-F with 1,700 hr TBO — proven, supportable engine
- 5,300 aircraft produced over 23 years — strong parts availability and community
Weaknesses
- Airframes now 39–61 years old — SID compliance and age-related corrosion typical
- IO-520 cylinder cracking documented — borescope inspection essential at pre-buy
- Fixed tricycle gear adds weight vs. retractable — limits cruise speed to 148 KTAS
- Bush history common but unpredictable — gear fatigue, prop-strike, float corrosion risk
Overview
The 1964-1986 Cessna U206 series is the fixed-gear 6-seat utility workhorse of the Cessna single-engine lineup. With a 300 HP Continental IO-520, 3,600 lb gross weight, double cargo doors, and fixed tricycle gear, the U206 was designed from the start as a load-hauling utility airplane -- not a touring machine. It is the airplane Alaska, Canada, Africa, and South America have used for half a century to haul people, freight, and supplies into and out of unimproved strips.
This article covers the pre-1986 production run -- the U206, U206A through U206G ("Super Skywagon" 1964-1970, "Stationair" 1971-1986). Approximately 5,300 examples were produced across the 23-year run before Cessna's 1986 piston-single production halt.
The U206 is one of the most-respected utility airplanes ever built. Used U206s typically command higher per-pound pricing than 182s or 210s due to genuine load-hauling capability and bush-flying credentials.
The Cargo Door
The U206's right-side double cargo door is its defining utility feature. The forward door is the standard right-front passenger door; the rear door swings to the rear and locks open. Combined width: approximately 47 inches. This allows:
- Stretcher loading for medevac operations
- Bulk cargo loading (boxes, equipment, etc.)
- Skiff/boat loading on float operations
- Passenger boarding via either door (left side has only pilot/co-pilot door)
The cargo door is the single most important reason the U206 became the default Alaska/Canada bush airplane.
Variants & History
Distinguishing Features (vs 205 and 206H)
| Feature | 205 (1963-1964) | U206 (1964-1986) | 206H (1998+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | IO-470-S 260 HP | IO-520-F 300 HP | IO-540-AC1A5 300 HP |
| Max gross | 3,300 lbs | 3,600 lbs (+300) | 3,600 lbs |
| Cargo door | None | Double cargo door (RH) | Double cargo door |
| Useful load | ~1,480 lbs | ~1,600 lbs | ~1,560 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 65 gal | 80 gal (+15) or 92 long range | 92 gal |
| Production | 577 (2 years) | ~5,300 (23 years) | ~1,800 (28 years, ongoing) |
| Panel | Vintage analog | Mid-life analog or modern retrofits | G1000 (G1000 NXi 2014+) |
Variant Breakdown by Letter
| Variant | Years | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| U206 (no letter) | 1964 | Original "Super Skywagon" launch |
| U206A | 1965 | Minor refinements |
| U206B | 1966 | "Super Skylane" subvariant offered (deluxe interior) |
| U206C | 1967 | Production refinements |
| U206D | 1968 | Continued refinements |
| U206E | 1969-1970 | Last "Super Skywagon" year (1970), renamed to Stationair for 1971 |
| U206F | 1971-1976 | "Stationair" name introduced 1971 |
| U206G | 1977-1986 | Tubular gear (1971), Camber-Lift wing (1973), final pre-litigation |
Performance
148 KTAS cruise at 7,500 ft (75% power), 920 FPM climb at 3,600 lb gross, 14.5 GPH. Service ceiling 15,700 ft. Range with reserves at 80 gallons: 600 NM at economy cruise; with 92-gal long-range tanks: 700+ NM.
Real-world cruise: 138-148 KTAS at economy settings. The 1,600 lb useful load is the U206's defining capability -- this airplane carries serious loads.
2001 Cessna 206 Stationair
T206H Turbo · Load Hauler · Fresh Annual · No Damage
Maintenance & Support
The IO-520-F is a 520 cubic inch, six-cylinder, fuel-injected Continental engine producing 300 HP at 2,850 RPM. TBO 1,700 hours. Same engine family as the 210 line.
Field overhaul: $38,000-$48,000. Continental IO-520 cylinder cracking can occur; borescope inspection at pre-buy is essential.
Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / needs engine | $80,000-$110,000 |
| Flying but tired | $105,000-$155,000 |
| Well-maintained mid-time | $145,000-$210,000 |
| Restored / upgraded with floats | $200,000-$320,000 |
U206 pricing has appreciated significantly since 2020 (10-15% per year) due to strong bush-flying demand and limited supply. Late U206Gs (1984-1986) trade highest due to "last pre-litigation" status, modern systems, and youngest airframes.
Premium factors:
- Robertson STOL kit: +$15,000-$25,000
- Float-ready (gross weight increase STC, float fittings): +$30,000-$60,000
- Sportsman STOL kit: +$10,000-$20,000
- Modern panel (GTN 750 + GFC 600): +$30,000-$50,000
1977 Cessna 210 Centurion
210M Centurion · Steam + GPS · Great Useful Load
ADs & Common Problems
- Cessna SIDs: 1964-1986 airframes are 39-61 years old. SID compliance is a real cost item. Full SID inspection: $5,000-$15,000.
- IO-520 cylinder condition: Borescope inspection essential.
- Cargo door seal and latch condition: Cargo doors get hard use; seals deteriorate, latch mechanisms wear.
- Bush operations history: Some U206s have hard backcountry use. Inspect for gear-leg fatigue, gear-attach corrosion, prop strike history.
- Float operation history: If the airplane has been on floats, inspect cabin floor for corrosion, fuselage strut attach for fatigue.
- Fuel tank condition: 80-gallon tanks aged 40+ years can develop seam leaks.
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