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Cessna 206 Piston Specifications and Charter Rates

The Cessna 206 is a versatile, single-engine piston aircraft designed for both utility and comfort, accommodating up to six passengers and cruising at 185 mph for over 800 miles. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has set the standard for reliability, ruggedness, and adaptability, making it a favorite among private flyers, adventure seekers, and operators who demand unfailing performance in challenging environments.


This iconic workhorse is the preferred choice for accessing remote locations, supporting aerial missions, or simply enjoying an elevated travel experience with family or friends. On this page, you'll find comprehensive specifications, cabin details, real-world range, indicative charter pricing, and answers to the most common questions passengers ask about this industry staple.

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Cessna 206 Overview

The Cessna 206 belongs to the piston aircraft class, prized for its simplicity, dependability, and cost-efficiency in private aviation. Seating up to six in a spacious cabin, it features a powerful Continental IO-540 engine, delivering the thrust and performance needed for short takeoff and landing strips. Its high-wing design allows for impressive visibility, rugged ground clearance, and easy loading—making it exceptionally well-suited for everything from personal travel to utility operations in remote areas.


What consistently sets the Cessna 206 apart is its ability to combine rugged field capability with a comfortable, well-finished interior. The aircraft’s proven systems, broad parts availability, and ease of maintenance mean owners and charter clients alike benefit from both reliability and low operating costs.


Operators value its flexible mission profile, whether flying into backcountry strips, transporting gear, or providing fast, point-to-point regional service. For private flyers, it represents genuine freedom—offering direct access to destinations far beyond the reach of commercial aviation, all in a cabin that feels more refined than any bush plane has a right to be.

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Cessna 206 Specifications

The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

Aircraft class:

Piston

Passenger capacity:

Up to 5 (typical), 6 maximum

Crew:

1 pilot

Range:

Approximately 809 nautical miles (around 930 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

160 knots (about 185 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 140 knots

Service ceiling:

15000 fee

Engines:

One Continental IO-540 piston engine

Thrust:

Roughly lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 1060 feet

Landing distance:

About 1740 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 17 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 11 cubic feet

First delivered:

1960s

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The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

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Cessna 206 Range and Performance

With a range of up to 809 nautical miles, the Cessna 206 easily covers regional routes and remote airfields that are inaccessible to most aircraft. Typical city pairs include Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe, Dallas to Santa Fe, or Vancouver to Banff, all nonstop and with reserves to spare. | The aircraft’s robust engine and fixed landing gear allow for confident operations on short, unimproved runways, making it a top pick for backcountry adventures, air taxi, and specialty missions. A high-speed cruise of 160 knots keeps journey times competitive, while a takeoff run of just over 1,000 feet opens up a world of private destinations. | For most travelers, the Cessna 206 delivers a level of flexibility and direct access that simply isn’t possible on commercial airlines.

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Cessna 206 Cabin Experience and Interior

The Cessna 206 cabin is designed for utility and comfort, offering seating for up to six in a configuration that balances space and functionality. The large doors and generous windows provide easy boarding and panoramic views, while the high-wing design creates a sense of openness often missing from comparable aircraft. | Seating is typically arranged in two rows, with plush materials and thoughtful details that make even longer flights relaxing. Ample baggage capacity—11 cubic feet—means travelers can bring along everything from camera gear to fishing rods without hassle. | For business or leisure, the quiet, stable ride and bright cabin create a travel environment that’s both practical and inviting, making every flight memorable.

Cessna 206 Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Cessna 206 typically runs in the range of $700 to $1000 per flight hour, though the figure you are quoted depends on several factors. Rates move with the route, the season, repositioning (or ferry) time, airport fees, crew costs, and how a specific aircraft is equipped. Peak travel periods and one-way trips that leave an aircraft far from its base tend to sit at the higher end, while round trips and flights that align with an operator's existing schedule can come in lower.

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It also helps to understand how charter pricing is structured. Most quotes are built around occupied flight hours plus those repositioning costs, landing and handling fees, taxes, and crew expenses. Because Jettly is a charter marketplace rather than an aircraft operator, you can compare live quotes from multiple FAA Part 135 and book the option that fits your route and budget.

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Empty-leg flights, the discounted repositioning trips that operators are keen to fill, can also bring the cost of a Cessna 206 down significantly when the timing works in your favor. For an exact, current price on your specific trip, request a quote, and you will see real availability rather than an estimate.

Who Should Charter the Cessna 206?

The Cessna 206 fits a wide set of missions, which is part of why it stays busy. It is a strong match for:

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Small executive teams traveling together to a meeting, site visit, or conference

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Regional and many transcontinental business trips that need to be completed in a single day

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Families or groups of up to eight heading to a vacation or event

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Travelers carrying bulkier baggage, such as golf clubs or ski gear

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Anyone who values flexible airport access and a stand-up cabin over the lowest possible price

While the Cessna 206 isn’t designed for long international flights or high-speed cross-country trips, it excels at regional missions, remote access, and versatile point-to-point travel for small groups. For adventurers, photographers, or families seeking to reach unique locations efficiently and comfortably, it is a top-tier choice.

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How the Cessna 206 Compares to Other Piston

The Cessna 206 began production in the early 1960s as an evolution of the iconic Cessna 205, quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone in both private and commercial aviation. Its rugged airframe, generous payload, and STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) performance allowed it to thrive in environments ranging from the Alaskan wilderness to African safari camps.


Over the decades, the 206 has been continuously refined with upgrades in avionics, performance, and comfort, strengthening its reputation as the go-to aircraft for operators demanding reliability and adaptability. Its enduring legacy lies in serving a vast array of roles—air ambulance, skydiving, cargo, and private adventure—making it one of the most versatile and respected piston aircraft ever built.


Today, the 206 remains in active production, with modernized variants ensuring that its blend of rugged utility and passenger comfort continues to set the benchmark in single-engine aviation.

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Cessna 206 History and Background

The Cessna 206 began production in the early 1960s as an evolution of the iconic Cessna 205, quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone in both private and commercial aviation. Its rugged airframe, generous payload, and STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) performance allowed it to thrive in environments ranging from the Alaskan wilderness to African safari camps.


Over the decades, the 206 has been continuously refined with upgrades in avionics, performance, and comfort, strengthening its reputation as the go-to aircraft for operators demanding reliability and adaptability. Its enduring legacy lies in serving a vast array of roles—air ambulance, skydiving, cargo, and private adventure—making it one of the most versatile and respected piston aircraft ever built.


Today, the 206 remains in active production, with modernized variants ensuring that its blend of rugged utility and passenger comfort continues to set the benchmark in single-engine aviation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Cessna 206 Carry?

The Cessna 206 comfortably carries up to five passengers plus the pilot, with seating arrangements that support both business and leisure travel. Its spacious, adaptable cabin makes it easy to accommodate families, small groups, or specialty missions that require unique loads.

What Is the Range of the Cessna 206?

The Cessna 206 has a range of approximately 809 nautical miles, or roughly 930 statute miles. That is enough to fly most regional routes and many transcontinental trips nonstop, with the longest coast-to-coast legs occasionally needing a brief fuel stop depending on winds and load.

How Fast Does the Cessna 206 Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 160 knots (about 185 mph), with a long-range cruise near 140 knots. The aircraft's 15000-foot service ceiling lets it fly above most weather and traffic for a smoother, more direct trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Cessna 206?

Charter rates generally fall between roughly $700 and $1000 per flight hour, depending on the route, season, repositioning, and fees. Because Jettly is a marketplace, you can compare live quotes from multiple Part 135 operators and book the best option for your trip; empty-leg flights can lower the cost further.

Does the Hawker Cessna 206 Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes. With its large cabin doors, nearly flat floor, and ample baggage compartment, the Cessna 206 is designed for ease of movement and loading. Passengers enjoy unobstructed access and generous personal space, making boarding and in-flight comfort effortless on every trip.

Is the Cessna 206 Good for Transcontinental Flights?

For most regional flights, absolutely. The Cessna 206 covers typical city pairs like Dallas to Santa Fe or Vancouver to Banff with non-stop range, and its rugged design ensures reliable performance even into short or remote runways.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Cessna 206 jets operated by vetted FAA Part 135 Part 135 carriers. Compare live quotes, check real availability, and book with full concierge support, whether you are planning a single regional hop or a recurring travel schedule.

Enter your route and dates to get instant pricing on the Cessna 206, or speak with our team about empty-leg deals and membership options that can bring your cost per trip down even further.

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