Cessna 185 Skywagon vs Cessna 206H Stationair (1998-present)
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
i
Cessna 185 Skywagon
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is, simply put, THE Alaska bush plane. Produced from 1961 to 1985 with over 4,400 built, the 185 is a 300-horsepower brute that can haul more than its own empty weight, operate from unimproved strips and water, and do it all with the reliability of a Cessna airframe backed by one of the most common engine families in general aviation. If the cessna-180-skywagon is the nimble mountain goat, the 185 is the pack mule that carries everything and everyone.
- +Exceptional useful load (~1,500 lbs) for single-engine tailwheel
- +Proven Alaska bush capability on wheels, floats, or tundra tires
- +Strong parts and mechanic support across Cessna/Continental ecosystem
- !Tailwheel ground handling requires skilled pilots; not for novices
- !IO-520-D overhaul at TBO is expensive ($38,000–$58,000)
- !Age-related airframe corrosion (belly skins, float fittings) on used examples
Cessna 206H Stationair (1998-present)
The 1998 Cessna 206H marked the **return of the Stationair to production** after the 1986-1997 litigation gap. The 206H carried forward the U206G airframe (3,600 lb gross, double cargo door, fixed gear, 6 seats) but swapped the Continental IO-520 for a **Lycoming IO-540-AC1A5** -- the same 300 HP fuel-injected Lycoming used in the new 182S Skylane. Approximately 2,000+ examples have been delivered through 2026 across 28 years of production (still in current production).
- +Still in active production with 2,000+ delivered; strong factory support
- +Lycoming IO-540 engine more reliable than predecessor Continental IO-520
- +G1000 NXi models (2014+) offer modern WAAS/VNAV/ADS-B capability
- !Useful load reduced 240 lbs vs U206G due to heavier engine and avionics
- !Early steam-gauge models (1998–2004) lack glass cockpit and modern autopilot integration
- !G1000 and GFC 700 systems require specialized repair support
Comparing a specific airplane you found for sale?
Get a Tail # Report on that tail number →