The Cessna 206 Stationair is aviation's pickup truck — a big-cabin, cargo-door utility single that hauls six people or a serious payload. It serves floats, skydiving, bush operations, and Part 135 charter, so ownership often has a commercial dimension.
Key takeaways
- Utility leader: huge useful load and a cargo door.
- Broad market: $150,000–$745,000 by vintage and equipment.
- Often a working airplane: commercial use shapes both ownership and financing.
About the Cessna 206
The 206 combines a strong airframe, a 300-horsepower engine (turbo available on the T206H), and a versatile cabin that reconfigures for people or cargo. It dominates utility roles worldwide, from Alaska bush strips to safari operations.
Because so many 206s earn revenue, buyers frequently finance them through a business, and mission equipment (floats, jump doors, cargo pods) is common. Strong resale supports value.
Ownership Considerations
- Fuel: ~14–16 gph (more for the turbo at altitude).
- Insurance: higher for commercial operations than personal use.
- Maintenance: a working airframe should be inspected and reserved for accordingly.
- Mission equipment: floats and cargo systems add upkeep — and value.
What to Check When Buying a Cessna 206
Focus the pre-buy on engine time since overhaul (with compression and borescope checks), avionics generation, damage history, and complete logbooks; older airframes warrant a careful corrosion inspection. Use a type-experienced shop — lenders typically require a pre-buy before funding.
Financing a Cessna 206
As a piston single, a Cessna 206 typically finances with 15–20% down and terms up to 20 years for a well-qualified buyer, with engine time, avionics, damage history, and your credit driving the rate. Insurance rises with performance and low time-in-type and must bind before funding. Jaken Aviation is a brokerage, not a lender — we shop your loan across a national network of aviation lenders. For rates, worked examples, and how to apply, see the resources below.
Prices and financing figures in this article are illustrative for the 2026 market and are not offers of credit. Jaken Aviation is a licensed aircraft financing brokerage — a division of Jaken Finance Group — and does not make loan decisions. All financing is subject to lender approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finance a 206 for commercial use?
Yes — commercial 206 financing is common, typically evaluated on business financials and intended use.
Does the turbo change financing?
Not structurally; it adds value and high-altitude capability, so the loan is larger, on similar terms.
How much down on a 206?
For a newer 206 with strong credit, 15–20%; older airframes push toward 20–25%.
Ready to Finance a Cessna 206?
Get a fast pre-qualification and let us compare offers across our lender network for your aircraft.
Get Pre-Qualified