What are the best years of 206"s and why?

[shortfielder]

My landlord says he wants to buy a 206, and he wants me to find him a nice one. What are the preferred years and why. What to watch out for?
Thanks Gary

[182 STOL driver]

My landlord says he wants to buy a 206, and he wants me to find him a nice one. What are the preferred years and why. What to watch out for?
Thanks Gary

Gary > I've had 6 in last 40 years . !965 U 206 -Watch out for IO-520 A engine ,1968 TU-206 -My favorite good TU-206 . 1971 U-206 not too bad , 1974 U-206 not too bad - electricial ???? stay away from Cessna Radios > 2 1975's (one turbo and other N/A ) pretty decent birds. Early (up to 1967) were 3300 Lbs airplanes -after went to 3600 .After 1982 went up to 3800 . Provision for floats are more $$$ .

[qmdv]

Not a 206 guy but I know that all the later 182's and 206's are more comfy but heavier.

Tim

[shortfielder]

Forgot to mention he wants turbo. I've heard fron'68 up the horizontal was larger. "83/84 they went to Lycoming?? Bigger the payload the better.

[gbflyer]

Far from an authority on the subject but we do own one and have looked at several others.

The 1968 has a higher useful than later years because the empty weight was less from the factory for the non-turbo, not sure about the turbo version. First year of the 13' horizontal also. This is not a big deal, unless you want to sell one.

I would firmly second the notion of wanting a turbo in your country. The normally aspirated 206 is a powerhouse down low but a real dog above 6K. A friend of mine put one together with the IO550 and cold air induction. It also suffers greatly above 6K.

Look for loose rivets in the chin and where the nose wheel and engine mount attaches to fuselage. Take the cowl off and hold you hand on the tunnel and have someone rock the wings while you are feeling for loose parts. Pulled rivets on motor mount attach are something to look for. They are also real good at cracking the wing skin at the rib just outboard of the strut. Freighters take some gearbox abuse. Air induction box cracks out too, there is an AD on it and replacement is expensive. Door hinges are $$$$.

Oh yes, keep them away from the southern borders unless he's got lots of insurance.

Other than that, it's just a bigger C150.

[4Whitey]

Gary,

The Turbo 206 is A great all-around, back country capable plane. I took FE Potts advice and found a good G model.
http://www.fepco.com/BF.chapter10.html

Post '66 206's are all 3600# GW. This can be increased on '72-present models to 3800 with flint tip tanks. Carry the extra weight as cargo or fuel (29 gallons extra).

Major Chnages for the TU206
1966: gross increased from 3300 to 3600.
1968: larger horizontal stab.
1975: R lower cowl access panel. Seems like nothing, but when I told my mechanic I bought a T206 he was happy it had this access panel. Easier access to the turbo.
1977: HP increase. 285 to 310 (available of 5 minutes)
1978: Introduced 24 volt electrics. Last year of fuel bladders (76 useable fuel).
1979: Wet wing fuel tanks 88 gal useable.
1986: last year of G model and Continental 520. Cessna took a hiatus from the 206 for 12 years.
1998: restarted the 206 line. Lycoming 540 powered. Smooth, nice AC, but about 150# heavier than previous G model (still with 3600# GW). Heavy weight and seat design is a disadvantage to utility. No individual 3rd row seats and they are a pain to remove vs the older style rail system.

I've loaded up my '78 with 5 people and ski gear by removing one of the two third-row seats. In a new "improved" H model one of my friends would've been strapped to the lift strut with all his ski gear on....he was glad I have a G model.

1977 or '78 are my favorite years because:
1. Larger horizontal stab
2. 310 HP
3. Fuel is in a flexible fuel bladder inside the wing (more crashworthy in m opinion than wet wings).
4. Still fairly light. Weight varies significantly depending in equipment. My 206 has all the bells and whistles: GPS, RSTOL, O2, Traffic, bigger tires, mud flaps, AP, Storm Scope, tip tanks and I still have a 1500#useful load. I could likely loose another 100# if I stripped it down to bare VFR equipment.

I think any nice '68-'86 T206 would be a good plane for your friend. High useful load and good STOL.

Fint tip tanks and RSOL make the 206 even better. They are pricy so if he can find a good T206 already modified, he will likely save $$$ vs having the mods installed.

[Nosedragger]

There's a 68 next door to me that needs a home. It belonged to our resident AP who was planning on retiring and taking it to Alaska but cancer got him first. I know the paint and interior are new, he was in the middle of the annual when he died. Pm me if interested, I talked to his widow last week so I know she'd like to sell it.

[shortfielder]

PM sent. I would like to know about any nice turbo'd 206's for sale.
Sounds like maybe the '68-'80 are the preferred years???
None built from '86-'97
Thanks Gary