No the Cessna C209 was specifically designed to carry 10 adults, four hours fuel plus alternate fuel. The Cessna engineers and marketing department thought that it was the ideal replacement for the aging fleet of Cessna C205/6/7's operated in Australia. The aircraft would have a derated Continental IO-520 mated with a four bladed prop made of Kevlar for environmental concerns, improved seating for the pilot, upgraded avionics, panaroma windows for passengers, improved air conditioning, cargo pack option, large tyres and fly by wire for all control surfaces.
However due to the forthcoming recession no Australian operators took advantage of this special offer.
Another reason was that CASA wanted the aircraft operated two crew, TAWS system fitted system, CVR fitted, pilots to under go simulator sessions every six months at the newly opened Cessna Single Simcentre at Bagot Road, a review of the upgrade to command to C209 from the FO position as Casa noted a number of failures with overseas operators.