The secret to the Cessna T206 upgrade is a max weight increase of 189 pounds, which for any single-engine airplane would be good news, but for a utility plane that will regularly be operated at the edges of its envelope, it’s an even better deal. Textron earned the additional payload by proving what anyone who’s operated a 206 already knows, that it’s an airplane with great margins. The company conducted flight testing and ran additional engineering analysis, all of which the FAA signed off on.
As far as the name is concerned, Textron didn’t say, but we’re guessing the “HD” stands for “heavy-duty” rather than “high-definition.” The payload increase that makes it HD to begin with is 189 pounds, a figure that seems a fair representation of an additional passenger. The 206 is commonly operated in short-haul water-taxi service, so the additional weight-carrying capability could equate to additional revenue.
The airplane that Textron Aviation has on display at AirVenture Oshkosh is outfitted not with floats but with a cargo pod, making it look like a mini-Caravan. Unlike bush planes of days gone by, it also boasts Garmin G1000 glass, along with a new three-blade McCauley heated prop.
Textron has already begun taking orders for the Stationair HD, which is available immediately.
Learn more at Textron Aviation.
