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.

[newcrew]

PC-12 / 45
PC-12 / 45
PC-12 / 45
PC-12 / 45

[Rhodie]

I think the most critical question, before answering, would be 'what application'..?

Up - straight - down.. speed and comfort.

Bush strips - a la Maun.

Utility - for meatbombs...?

You are bound to get a heap of answers from many well qualified people on the forum, all with different favorites, so knowing what for would help.. :ok:

Cheers

R

(Newcrew - agree on the PC12 in exec configure, but somewhat partial to the C208 meself..)

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Is initial purchase cost a factor?

Turbine or piston?

Application?

Area of operations?

Skilled/unskilled crew?

Operating cost?

[onfinals_34L]

Initial Purpose = lease

Piston

Application = General Charter ops

Skilled crew not essential

[126,7]

Depending on the range you'll be flying and the strips you'll be using, I'd go for either the C210 or the C206. Longer range obviously a C210. Shorter range go for the C206.

My experience with Joe Public though, is that he prefers a twin or a turbine. Cost is not so much of an issue, since a twin can be gotton for only a little more than a C210!

[cavortingcheetah]

;)

:D Get a slightly more skilled crew and go for a twin piston engined Rockwell, whatever was that series number ? Lots in the Caribbean. They perform well in the warm and the over head wing keeps the cabin bearable in the heat. If you must have a single, presumably for reasons of economy, follow 126.7 - unless you can spring for a Caravan. You have not yet indicated the intended field of operation of the aircraft. I do have to say though that I would not consider anything other than a twin or a turbine for passenger charter anywhere these days. Just about anywhere is King Air (200) country - high floatation undercarriage.:hmm:

[I.R.PIRATE]

TBM 700. Its a fantastic little six seater...slightly expensive, however you get 310kts @ FL 330, sipping only about 150lbs of Jet A1 per hour. JHB to Entebbe no problem.....So operating costs are very very low. It is sold with a full 5 year maintenance plan, you only pay for consumables. It goes just about anywhere with 500m to land on. Full glass cockpit, with a fully computerised, engine monitoring and control system. In a recent poll held by Flight International Magazine, it was voted as the most incredible aircraft to have come out in the last 50 years, thats gotta say something. Im a twin man myself, but having had a close look at this machine....mmm, wouldnt mind having one in the garage...

ps: A little while ago, while it was undergoing certification test flying in SA, they put it up against a certain military a/c, a red and white one whos name i'll not mention, and the SAAF boys came a serious distinct second!! Its rated to +6, and -3 G, so........if you got a PC 12 kind of bank balance...... Personally , I'd rather buy the 12 because it is an established charter machine, and can be put on contract if you need it to earn money, but for pure pleasure and fun.....:cool:

[cavortingcheetah]

:D IRP I have to agree. But, up in the frozen wastelands of the north, 2.5m/US$ is, to say the least, euphemistically, slightly more than expensive.
:cool:

[Where are we now?]

Having flown the C210 and the Bonanza range, 16 years ago, I would certainly choose a C210. I am open to correction, but the empty weight was around 2200lbs, plus six adults at 1050 plus full fuel of 534lbs amounted to about 70lbs of luggage before reaching max weight of 3800lbs. This allowed you to fly for 6 hours at 175kts. The A36 Bonanza could not do this, neither did it had the boot space for luggage.
Although the Bonanza is a Beechcraft (handling feel), C210 was a good work horse, load and go, and she sounded much better with that 2850 rpm on take-off.

[126,7]

When I did my Bonny conversion, the instructor told me that although it has 6 seats, it shouldn't be treated as a 6-seater. Carries a lot less weight, but is a beauty to fly. IMO not suited for charter work at all.

[contraxdog]

The best six seater?
Kingair B200, with a full Raisbeck Conversion. Then if you dont want to fly VIP's/Exec's stick another 7 seats in and drive it like a Toyota Hiace. Or take the seats out and drive it like a one ton Toyota Hilux lwb.
Remember there is only one thing better than Pratt and Whitney, and thats two of them. Its only aircraft owners that do not fly themselves, that like to buy erries with one of those.

[Where are we now?]

Contraxdog,
The topic is single seater!


oops, correction single engine!

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Errmmmm.....

Single ENGINE, perhaps?

If money's no object and you're not planning on anything more than about 100nm, the GA-8 airvan is pretty roomy and more comfortable for pax than the US offerings.

Regarding accomodation for the pilot, the Jabiru and Airvan design leads me to believe all Ozmates are short@rses.:E

[brickwall]

Well I have to say that the KingAir 200 can to a lot that the singles can do. I have found that the 200 has the best of both worlds. They can get fixed anywhere and have the ability to go there too. I did a bit of flying in the 207 and found that total idiot can operate one. The short feild is a bit triky though.
I was shot at while flying a 207 landing at a short strip with pax on board and it was just luck that no one was hurt. In short. there was enough room.
3 hours was a good time for the 207 and pulling back to about 60% pwr I lost a lot of good speed and comfort. But then again we did one to three hour tours. Well. cheers and good lck. By the way. I am looking for a job. Danks.

[Captain Pheremone]

Hey you guys are way off track!!!!!!

The best single engine 6 seater is without doubt either a Squirrel or Bell 407 helicopter. You land where you want in the Swamps and can even stop for pizza on the way there.

C'mon, get vertical bro!!!!!!!!!

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Cap'n P

As long as the destination isn't too far away or you're not required to carry much, eh?:E :ok:

[Captain Pheremone]

Ja ja.
But since when did flying stop being fun. If you gotta get far from home to drink a "cold one" you musta caused a lot of trouble.!!!!!

Keep safe.

At the end of the day the best 6 seater would be a VIP 737 done out in luxury with 6 passenger seats and 97 hosties.

Yeah Baby.

[Rhodie]

Cap'n P...

You are not a well child...!!

At the end of the day the best 6 seater would be a VIP 737 done out in luxury with 6 passenger seats and 97 hosties.

But I love your thinking..!!

Book the flight - I'll be there..... :E :ok:

Cheers

R

[Solid Rust Twotter]

DH Beaver is nice but I REALLY like the single Otter. Even sexier on floats...:ok:

[126,7]

Captain P
With that many hosties the crew will have to turn back before they get to the holding point to pick up new, or rather exchange the used up pax.
Nice fanatasy though.:ok:

[Rhodie]

Ah, SRT

You know a nice beaver is *much* sexier than a wet otter........ :E

R