Cessna T206 Turbo Stationair

We get hot, high and heavy with Cessna's six-seat piston hauler on a challenging real-life mission.

We should be getting used to flat-panel avionics in utility airplanes, but I still do a double take when I look at the panel of a working airplane like the 206 and see G1000. Synthetic vision (not shown) is an available option, and the G1000 suite features the best-in-class GFC700 autopilot, along with traffic, weather, terrain awareness and much, much more.

On my trip to Phoenix to bring my son home from school for summer break, we took advantage of the 206's huge rear cargo hold (with rear seats removed, of course) to pack a dorm-room full of stuff into the airplane and still be within weight and balance limits with full fuel and three adults aboard.

Removing and reinstalling the two rear seats is easy, thanks to the quick release pin mechanisms that come standard. Many owners keep the back seats in the hangar. I'd do the same.

The second row seating has excellent head and leg room, not to mention a huge entry door, as well. The rear two seats are much less commodious, but many 206 drivers operate their airplanes like four-seaters with a great cargo hold anyway. That's what we did.

Cessna T206 Turbo Stationair

Cessna's venerable Stationair has been around for decades, but Cessna has done a wonderful job updating it in every way. For one, while you don't often think of the 206 as a luxury airplane, the current model is outfitted with leather upholstery and high-end trim throughout, including the leather wrapped yokes.