The Cessna 205, 206, and 207, known primarily as the Stationair (and marketed variously as the Super Skywagon, Skywagon, and Super Skylane) are the heavy haulers of Cessna’s single-engine lineup.
By Jennifer Dellenbusch
Cessna’s first six-seat single was basically a fixed-gear version of the popular Model 210. As Daryl Murphy, contributing editor emeritus and former Cessna marketing executive tells it, “…it became apparent to engineers that retrofitting the fuselage with fixed landing gear would permit the removal of the great hump they had to install in the rear cabin to house the main gear assembly and allow the addition of two more passenger seats.”
The prototype was subjected to extensive testing. More than 3,700 takeoffs and landings, and hundreds of hours of flight time proved the capabilities and handling characteristics of the new fixed-gear airframe.
Cessna’s first six-seat single was basically a fixed-gear version of the popular Model 210. As Daryl Murphy, contributing editor emeritus and former Cessna marketing executive tells it, “…it became apparent to engineers that retrofitting the fuselage with fixed landing gear would permit the removal of the great hump they had to install in the rear cabin to house the main gear assembly and allow the addition of two more passenger seats.”
The prototype was subjected to extensive testing. More than 3,739 takeoffs and landings, and hundreds of hours of flight time proved the capabilities and handling characteristics of the new fixed-gear airframe.
Model 205
This new model was initially called the 210-5 and was certified June 14, 1962, under the 210’s Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) 3A21. It was fitted with the 260 hp Continental IO-470-S engine from the 210B and hit the market for the 1963 model year as the Model 205.
It could cruise at 163 mph and had a useful load of 1,550 pounds—an amount nearly equal to its empty weight of 1,750 pounds. The 205 retained the engine cowling bulge from its progenitor, originally where the 210 stowed its nosewheel on retraction.
It was an immediate success with more than 400 units sold in its first year on the market. The model 210-5A was certified July 19, 1963.
Model 206
But as was typical of Cessna at the time, engineers immediately began tweaking the design.
So many changes and improvements were made to the airframe that Cessna applied for a new TCDS. The new Model 206 was certified July 19, 1963. It sported a more powerful 285 hp Continental IO-520-A engine, and a 42-inch cargo door. The cowling bulge was removed for a more streamlined look.
It debuted for the 1964 model year at $22,950. Customers appreciated the more powerful engine, along with the improved access and cargo door, and purchased 276 of the new 206s, with only 96 of the less expensive 205s selling that same year.
The 205 was discontinued with the 1965 model year, but the 206 would continue to be sold, with various improvements and changes, through 1984 when Cessna ceased its single-engine production. Production of the 206 was resumed in 1997 and the model continues to be sold today.
Model 207
In 1967, Cessna engineers went back – literally – to the drawing board to create a stretched version of the 206.
