Bonanza vs 206 vs 210
 

From an operational point of view which one is the most cost effective single Bonanza 206 210 or something else most sectors no more than 150nm into bush strips. My prefrence is for the 206 as a good alrounder. Company I work for is looking at getting a new plane and looking at all options just thought I would ask the folk on prune for there views.

Thanks

A36 = 150
C210 = 150
C206 = 120

1.0 60L burn of fuel
1.0 60L burn of fuel
1.2 75L burn of fuel

C206 will be more expensive and time consuming to get there.
C210/A36 increased costs with retrac especially the A36 which is expensive to maintain and carries a smaller payload than a 210/206.

C206 would be the winner IMO

Considered an Airvan?

Agree. Go the C206 - at least for the purposes you've got in mind. That said, if I had the spare cash for a personal aeroplane, it'd be a Bonanza for sure (it's a Beechcraft - 'nuff said); beautiful handling, good performer, etc. However, as already mentioned, not the most practical aeroplane for bush ops. The C206 may not be as pretty or as fast, but it's a good workhorse - and a proven aeroplane.

Airvan would be nice but $$$$ to get one

And the 206 is cheap???

Couple of ex Alligator Vans that are back at Gippsland as trade ins. Might be able to pick one up cheapish.

I'd search for a 206 that goes pretty quick and put an IO550 in it. The overhead induction one tho not the standard. Handles the hot weather a lot better and gives you a nice increase in speed, and climb/takeoff performance. Throw the Stol Kit on her and you'll be away laughing. Being only short hops you wont need long range tanks and they are a lot tougher that a 210 for the steep, rough bush strip. I dont know anything about the A36 but with retractable gear they prob arent ideal. The airvan is tough, but as slow as the second coming of Christ. Good, easy to maintain machine tho.

The airvan on a 150 mile sector is only 0.1 slower than a 206. You can carry 2 extra punters (more payload/revenue), burn a similar fuel figure and spend less on the maintenance with fixed gear and manual flaps.

Cherokee 6/Lance if you need the extra room? Cheaper up front too (not without reason though)

C206 would have the be the most popular as mentioned so far. The C210 not a good short fielder & the rear punters almost need to be legless (drunk would help too):)Small wheels & mud makes for a mess with the retract U/C.Something to consider when hauling the mail out of marginal ruff strips:-) Good idea to stay away from any retract plane over those distances.
Ideally C185 for all round usefulness but that's not been mentioned. The A36 although a good machine I reckon would be the last choice. As mentioned expensive to keep in top order & more a 'roller' of a plane than a work horse. Just look around at what types are reg used for the mission you mention, mostly the C206/210 & in the latter years the van not many A36's doing bush Top End work for Co's. I don't know what everyone sees in the A36 anyway, awkward to get in & out of for the driver/s. Ugly control set up but I guess it's personal choice there.The only good thing about the Bo is it's a Beech:-)

'WD' the PA32 although another good plane I think isn't suited either, again another airframe that's not used for top end bush bashing by the Nthern operators. The "T" tail loves the ground on a hot day.........real curvature of the earth stuff in that machine:)

Wmk2 ................misses the outback type flying in VMC:E

Go for the PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance, it must be a magnificant aeroplane as DOT used it in the BAK exam in the 1980's.

Cherokee six is a good machine for bush strips, but when you have punters in the back you may as well be flying a C185 as the nose sits that high you feel as though you're in a tail dragger.

As Wally eluded to, Turbo lance is a dog of an aircraft :yuk:

C206 would be the go but finding a good one can be a challenge!

Dr :8

I do not agree with that statement......

Not hard to find at all.
http://www.cessna.com/MungoBlobs/380/15/sin_sta_ban.jpg

Stationair

I am sure the aeromill folk will help you part with some cash ;)

Havn't flown a 206 for a while, but the last one I did fly used to TAS at 140kts. Flown both the 210 and A36 during the last week, with the A36 making good 168ktas and the 210 winding out to 171ktas. Both have stock airframe and engines.

Cold weather will do that 'budgie.

Most A/c get around 10-15% better TAS in Aus over Winter compared to Summer!

They are just rough planning figures. Obviously with height the TAS will increase.

Are you sure about that 'ole boy??

And many pilots don't bother calculating a tas anyway, so just use the ground speed on the GPS.

YouTube - Soloy Cessna 206 engine start

Now that sounds like a nice 206 :)

now that would be a beast and a half:)

In something like the 210 that's a difference of around 20 knots or more and in 35 years of flying I've never ever seen a discrepancy that big whilst in the cruise regardless of what the temp is.
Someone might be able to work the numbers in the pics to give us a TAS for the 210.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9...0005201000.jpg

IAS 150kt, 9,500', QNH 1025, OAT 26°f.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2...0005411000.jpg

IAS 152kt, 8,500', QNH 1026, OAT 35°f.

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/232/p10006141000.jpg

Have to say though, I was cheating. It was a cool day and I had a big load. Me, Mrs.GB (All 54kgs of it), fuel and bags. From the nanny state to Broome in 9 hours. Not to shabby.
Apologies for the thread drift.