Best 6 seater single engine aircraft

[onfinals_34L]

Hi

I would really appreciate other people’s thoughts on what they have found to be the best six seater aircraft they have flown/operated.

From what I have discovered the Cessna 210 or Beech 36 seems to be a favourite for speed, the Cherokee Six or Cessna 206 for space.

I am interested in reading views on what aircraft they believe delivers or has delivered the best balance of speed and payload.

Does the Airvan GA-8 fall into anyone’s favour? The Cessna 185? Piper Saratoga?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to reading your input.

[Lodown]

All of the above.

If they weren't good at what they did, people wouldn't buy the things...well...wouldn't buy a lot of them. (This is aviation after all. There's always someone who will buy one of something.)

Here's a question in return. Go into Bunnings, have a look at the hammers. Which one is the best for you, the carpenter, the roofer, the home handyman, the kid with a craft project, the upholsterer, the brickie, the plumber, the geologist, etc?

[Speeds high]

Piper Commanche!!!

Dont ask why cos i dont know, but what a whole lotta fun

[On Track]

I always enjoyed the Saratoga I used to fly.

Quite comfortable on a long outback trip, but after four hours in any aircraft seat I'm always keen to get out and stretch my legs.

[Bevan666]

You've tried the rest, now fly the best.

An A36 Bonanza of course!

http://www.bja.com.au/Bevan/Bevan/Photos/Flying%20Trips/NZ2005/DSC_4235.jpg

(Pictured last week when I flew it through Norfolk Island on the way to the land of the wrong white croud.)


Bevan..

[empacher48]

I would much rather operate the C207/C206 over the GA8. Having flown both types I find the Cessna series more of a "pilot's aeroplane" over the "passenger's aeroplane" (the GA8).

The GA8 really really does need rudder trim - and there is no sign of getting a fixed tab on the rudder itself to help things along. I find my long lanky legs don't really fit in the front of the GA 8.

Fair enough the GA8 does have its advantges - with its great visibility for the pilot and very liberal C of G it certainly does beat the 207/206 series (particularly the C207).

In saying all that - there is no sign of Cessna trying to compete with the GA8. But if its at all possible (I'm hoping the designers out there are reading it!) Rudder trim Pleeeeeease!!!

[Feather #3]

Genuine bush work....C206 [the bl**dy C207 will kill you!]

Fast exec type stuff...A36 for me.

G'day ;)

[tinpis]

Those Piper Lance things were a useful size and pretty easy for the average PPL to manage.

Real men went for the 8cyl Commanche tho
Any of those alive and well?

[Capt Fathom]

260hp Cherokee Six....:E
Just kidding :uhoh:

[NAMPS]

My favourite is the C206 - a real work horse and great performance when fully loaded.

[Howard Hughes]

C-206 = 10 place aircraft in some parts of Arnhemland and PNG.
C-207 = Character building!!
C-210 = Now where is that funny creaking noise coming from?

Cherokee six 300 = Good machine but limited to 380 kg's payload from memory due to ZFW?
Piper lance/Saratoga = Great pax machine but be very gentle on that nose gear, could end up costing you a fortune!!

Bonaza = Now where do I put my bag?

GA-8 = Well I think enough's been said already!!

But if your pockets are very deep....

TBM 700
Malibu Meridian

Cheers, HH.

:ok:

[piwi]

C185....no question!

[Induced Turbulence]

Suppose it depends what you want it for. If it is for a work horse you cant go past the C206. Great for taking loads out of short strips

[Jawz]

I think you all have missed the question cause the best single 6 seater is a DHC2 Beaver.

[hurlingham]

Pilatus PCXII

- but you will need deep pockets.

[SsaKcaj]

hurlingham beat me to it,

PC12 or C208 (esp the exec version, with individual video screens galley and bar fridge, very flash) with just six seats have about as much room as you'll ever need.

[185skywagon]

PIWI,
i am with you. the 185 is abit crowded with 6 or so in it. C210 would have to be one of the best commercially built 6 seaters as far as speed, payload, range and C of G issues are concerned.
185.

[piontyendforward]

Agree with Piwi and 185,

The best is the C185!

How ever as much as I love the C185's the C206 is a much better machine all round for a working aeroplane. More room, payload, performance etc, and easy for new pilots to fly.

C207 (see Lance and PA32)

The C210 although faster does not handle what a big wheel C206 will in the bush strips, and cannot have a pod.

Never flown the A36 so cannot comment.

Lance and PA32 (feel sick already just mentioning them)

[ozblackbox]

TBM700

Nicest aircraft in this category that I've had the priviledge of flying.

[Towering Q]

What about this?

www.ibisaerospace.com

:ok:

[nig&nog]

Pilatus Porter go anywhere, lift anything as long as the door closes and looks mean, pity about its speed though. Bloody great to fly.

[jonjie]

my 1968 U206c had 7000 hours when i bought it 3 years ago..did almost 2000 hours of fish charter in three years..only thing that broke which left it stranded was lh and rh muffler and a non-working transponder (can't get back into Manila without one). got my investment back in 18 months, and was offered 30% more than the original purchase price..this airplane is the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Hi-lux 4x4..you just can't go wrong with a 206.

[gaunty]

Overall has to be the C206.

tinpis ahhh a discerning choice, there are two I think one in SA. That was a gentlemans thouroughbred aircraft. Good lines, flighty and fast. :)

Still have a hankering to have one in the garage to take mrs gaunty for a run down the coast for some tea and scones on a sunday arvo and go do some business during the week.:ok:

[clear to land]

This is a personal bias, but I believe that handling qualities notwithstanding, nothing in the 6 seat single class will beat the C210 carrying the mostest, fastest, furtherest whilst being the cheapest. :ok:

[gaunty]

clear to land spot on and they are my personal favourite but for sheer workability and versatility in the bush, I reckon its the C206 by half a spinner.

[elemenohpee]

One better was the soloy 206 with the allison c20s, not the fastest machine but with 421 shp up in the shnoz she climbs well, and with the stol kit installed it lifted of in a releitivly short distance. Problem... to expensive to run and not enough bums on seats!:ok:

[Bendy]

On finals

Where are you taking it, how far are you going and what have you already flown?

For versatility and ease of operation, I don't think you can go past the 206 but if you are heading up to Darwin from Sydney, you might want something with a bit more speed;)

Whatever you do, have fun:ok:

Cheers

Bendy