owning a GA8 Airvan
 

Has any of you decided to buy a GA8 Airvan for yourself or would you do it if you could ? how do you think it will fly as a pleasure aircraft compared to 206?

It's a little bit slower than a 206 but a hell of a lot more versatile.

Have flown them a fair bit and if I had the $$$$ I would buy a normally aspirated two blade prop model with an aspen and put a bed in the back and it would be the ultimate camper van.

I wish, but being a pilot will never be able to afford one.

Well, not exactly true, I could afford one I suppose, but I like being married and having a shed full of other toys at the moment.

Hahaha

HD

please tell me they have rudder trim in the thing now… the airvan that is.

Well, the 2013 build one at my old company doesn't

i'd take a 206 anyday over one. Lack of rudder trim and worst. seats. ever.

It's not a bit slower, it is 30 knots slower which in my book is a lot. (Talking about the current model turbo Stationair here).

Same here, its a no brainer unless you need the extra load or seat capacity over what a 206 offers. We're talking a truck versus a station wagon.

Are we talking TAS or IAS here?

Sorry 27, TAS, went to both web sites and just looked at the maximum cruise speeds, turbo van; 135 knots, 206; 164 knots. It is interesting comparing them, two totally different aeroplanes in reality, both great things.

If you're at all tall, the seats in the Airvan are very uncomfortable. If you get the mod to push the seats back further the pax seats directly behind can't be used. On the plus side it lifts a big load easily and is good for short bush strips.

Big load out of a short, hot strip? Airvan for sure! Plus the airvans rear door is actually useable in the event of stacking it in the landing configuration...

The Airvan makes my ass ache every time I just look at it... those seats... :yuk:

The 206 is a good trusty design and does what's written on the box, though I must say I have yet to see one go anywhere near 165kt. :suspect:

I find both aircraft uncomfortable unless I'm seated in row 1.

Half an hour in a 206 is about as much as I can endure.

So if you don't like the seats, just get a decent cushion. At least they'll save your "ass" if you're ever in a crash...

Seen the price of a gayvan recently CTR? They aint exactly cheap either!