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About the Cessna Stationair 206H
One of the most popular fixed-gear airplanes to wind up on floats is the venerable Cessna 206H, the Stationair.
One instructor said he remembers the model name because every time he flies it, he thinks of a station wagon, and the comparison is apt.
This burly hauler isn’t particularly fast, cruising at 142 Kts at 6,200 feet or 164 Kts at 20,000 feet for the turbo-charged model. But it’s huge payload of 1,435 pounds for the normally-aspirated model and 1,338 pounds for the turbo model is more than adequate for hauling a family of four with luggage.
Combine that ample payload capability with docile handling characteristics, and you have an ideal airplane on which to mount floats for a truly amphibious flying experience.
The new Stationair is quiet and comfortable, and it’s easy for elderly passengers to get into with its wide double-doors on the right rear side of the airplane. The fact that it’s a high wing airplane helps here also, allowing you to use a small step or stool to climb directly into the rear seats, instead of having to climb up onto a wing.
The high wing also provides an excellent view of the ground for sight-seeing and photography. A roomy rear luggage compartment and room for up to six seats means this airplane can carry cargo and passengers with equal ease.
 The airplane flies pretty much like a 172 or 182, making it an easy transition for newer pilots moving up after their initial or instrument training. This, coupled with the airplane’s fixed gear, will yield lower insurance premiums when compared to more complex retractables.
The base airplane is priced at about $352,000, with the turbo-charged model coming in at $382,000. For that price you get a basic avionics package that is, well, basic. It provides everything needed for safe IFR flight, but not much more.
For an additional $19,000 you get a color GPS, or for $43,000 more you get the GPS and an HIS. Or you can splurge for an all glass, G1000 cockpit for an additional $62,000 over base price.
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Although its airframe follows the same traditional design Cessna has used for its top-of-the-line haulers for more than 40 years, newer, more advanced avionics position the 206H to continue life well into the 21st century. Greater ease of use, coupled with a family-friendly payload and a familiar design, make this model an ideal choice for this issue’s Bird of The Month.
For more info, visit www.cessna.com.
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