I have a few questions, especially for those of you that have any 206 time with a cargo pod. In my quest for more room, I'm considering adding a cargo pod. I'm assuming they bolt on. Once on, how hard are they to remove? Is it something you can take on and off as needed, or is it not worth the time.
Second, what kind of labor is involved to install the mounting points on the belly? How is it done? It's got to have some strong attach points to handle the load. I'm trying to figure out how laborious the process will be to get my aircraft prepped to accept the belly pod.
Finally, I see on the Aerocet pod for the 206, there are additional mods that would have to be done. The exhaust stacks have to be lengthened, the belly panel has to be hinged, the cowl flaps have to be adjusted, and a fuel drain line has to be altered. Do the same changes have to happen with the original option from Cessna?
*Edit* - Reading the Service Manual, it says that the cowl flap mod only needs to be done on 206 series aircraft. Not sure why though.
Thanks for any input. It looks like a great option to have for increasing the available space for a growing family.
Cargo Pod Questions
Wed Sep 21, 2016 1:14 am
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Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:26 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Grassstrippilot wrote:I have a few questions, especially for those of you that have any 206 time with a cargo pod. In my quest for more room, I'm considering adding a cargo pod. I'm assuming they bolt on. Once on, how hard are they to remove? Is it something you can take on and off as needed, or is it not worth the time.
Second, what kind of labor is involved to install the mounting points on the belly? How is it done? It's got to have some strong attach points to handle the load. I'm trying to figure out how laborious the process will be to get my aircraft prepped to accept the belly pod.
I see that Areocet publishes a 300# capacity on theirs. I've not been able to find any info for the original pod. A placard is referenced, and I'm guessing it would have the limit on it, but I've been unable to locate what that placard says. Anyone know?
Finally, I see on the Aerocet pod for the 206, there are additional mods that would have to be done. The exhaust stacks have to be lengthened, the belly panel has to be hinged, the cowl flaps have to be adjusted, and a fuel drain line has to be altered. Do the same changes have to happen with the original option from Cessna?
*Edit* - Reading the Service Manual, it says that the cowl flap mod only needs to be done on 206 series aircraft. Not sure why though.
Thanks for any input. It looks like a great option to have for increasing the available space for a growing family.
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Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:40 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
It's mounted using a lot of rivnuts. Call Alaska Aircraft Sales they have a used 206 pod for sale.
Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:52 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Thanks. I'll do that.
As for placing the rivnuts, is it just a matter of placing the Pod on the belly, marking hole location, and placing the appropriate sized rivnut. I imagine it can't be that hard, but am curious if there are templates or something to be had.
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As for placing the rivnuts, is it just a matter of placing the Pod on the belly, marking hole location, and placing the appropriate sized rivnut. I imagine it can't be that hard, but am curious if there are templates or something to be had.
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Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:07 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Grassstrippilot wrote:Thanks. I'll do that.
As for placing the rivnuts, is it just a matter of placing the Pod on the belly, marking hole location, and placing the appropriate sized rivnut. I imagine it can't be that hard, but am curious if there are templates or something to be had.
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That's basically how you do it ,but of course refer to the Aerocet Installation instructions.
Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:27 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
I wouldn't consider installing one without the cowl flap mod. Same with the exhaust mod.....though probably not as important as the cowl flaps.
As to install/uninstall, it's not a huge job, but you'll need some assistance....the things are pretty bulky. You can figure out ways to prop it up, and hold it in position, like with a jig and a floor jack.
But, in my experience, once they're on, they generally just stay on.....
So, if your family is growing that fast, you sure you don't need a Caravan?
MTV
As to install/uninstall, it's not a huge job, but you'll need some assistance....the things are pretty bulky. You can figure out ways to prop it up, and hold it in position, like with a jig and a floor jack.
But, in my experience, once they're on, they generally just stay on.....
So, if your family is growing that fast, you sure you don't need a Caravan?
MTV
Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:50 pm
Cargo Pod Questions
Oh, if only I could afford one...or a Kodiak. As it is right now though, the 200-300# of gear that is either our camping load or just part of what stays in the airplane, all sit next to and behind Adam with the 6th seat out. It would be nice to not have him encased in gear.
I'm guessing it would stay on more than not, but I'd like the option to remove it when I wanted.
This is interesting. The installation instructions specifically states that the cowl flap mod isn't required for the 205. I wonder what the difference would be. Does the Pod interfere with the flow of air coming out so much that it affected cooling?
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I'm guessing it would stay on more than not, but I'd like the option to remove it when I wanted.
This is interesting. The installation instructions specifically states that the cowl flap mod isn't required for the 205. I wonder what the difference would be. Does the Pod interfere with the flow of air coming out so much that it affected cooling?
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Last edited by Grassstrippilot on Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:51 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
C185D wrote:Grassstrippilot wrote:Thanks. I'll do that.
As for placing the rivnuts, is it just a matter of placing the Pod on the belly, marking hole location, and placing the appropriate sized rivnut. I imagine it can't be that hard, but am curious if there are templates or something to be had.
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That's basically how you do it ,but of course refer to the Aerocet Installation instructions.
The one I'm looking at isn't an Aerocet pod, but the original one that came as an option. And it won't come with instructions, so that's why I was curious.
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Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:06 pm
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
I had a good talk tonight with a fellow that had one on his 205. He gave me some good insight as to what to expect. He did mention as one of the negatives that cooling was an issue, especially being based and flying in the Southwest. And they did have the cowl flap mod done.
He also mentioned the decrease in climb performance, which he remembered being more than the advertised 45' per minute loss. How much do they affect climb performance?
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He also mentioned the decrease in climb performance, which he remembered being more than the advertised 45' per minute loss. How much do they affect climb performance?
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 6:07 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
I have noticed absolutely no climb penalty with my pod installed .
vail
Thu Sep 22, 2016 6:08 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Thanks low rider. What's your experience with cooling issues? Do you still have the 520 on your 206?
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:00 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
I've got a 550 in it . I'm about 20 hrs into breaking in my engine . Cylinders 1-3 temps have come down but 4-6 still seems a bit on the high side . Getting the break in oil out of it in the next few hrs and am hoping to see those cylinder temps come down some . We didn't do any cowl flap mod when the pod was put on (factory pod)..... Will be watching temps closely and may end up doing the cowl flap thing . .....Having a pod is very very very nice on these planes . I have noticed no speed penalty in cruise or climb. Caution , once you have a pod you become the garbage man and the firewood hauler on all camp outs. . I'm curious to hear about other people's experience with cooling issues with the pods .
vail
Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:14 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Thanks for the insight. I'm betting you'll see those last few cylinders fall in line in the next 10 hours or so. Rfinkle just finished breaking in his Pponked 470 and had a similar experience.
That's funny about being the garbage man! I can see the real benefit of having the available room and flexibility. Especially with a growing family. We could get by but I think it would just be more comfortable for everyone. I've always planned on pursuing either an extended baggage area and/or a pod.
Do you know the weight limit on the pod? I've not been able to track down what the placard says that is supposed to be on the pod.
Do you find that you leave yours on most of the time or do you take it on and off as needed?
Does your pod have an access door on the right side? The one I'm looking at only has one on the left and I'm trying to figure out how I'd access the right header tank to sump it.
If we decide to go this route, I think we will do something similar. We will see how it reacts in regards to cooling and then do the cowl mod if needed.
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That's funny about being the garbage man! I can see the real benefit of having the available room and flexibility. Especially with a growing family. We could get by but I think it would just be more comfortable for everyone. I've always planned on pursuing either an extended baggage area and/or a pod.
Do you know the weight limit on the pod? I've not been able to track down what the placard says that is supposed to be on the pod.
Do you find that you leave yours on most of the time or do you take it on and off as needed?
Does your pod have an access door on the right side? The one I'm looking at only has one on the left and I'm trying to figure out how I'd access the right header tank to sump it.
If we decide to go this route, I think we will do something similar. We will see how it reacts in regards to cooling and then do the cowl mod if needed.
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:47 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
How about speed penalty? I've seen some guys on another forum say 4-5 knots loss, while others say they haven't seen any. Here is that forum:
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-a ... 206-a.html
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http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-a ... 206-a.html
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 8:59 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
I have noticed no speed penalty . Pod holds 300 lbs . I have the access door on the pilot side . . I just leave it on all the time , But not really that hard to take on and off at all as it's just a bunch of screws. . .
vail
Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:11 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
This newer turbo just showed up to live at BRD. We'll see what Andy thinks about it:
Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:12 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Cool. Thanks. Hopefully some more people will chime in on their experiences with pods. There has to be quite a few around here that have flown with them.
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:14 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
BRD wrote:This newer turbo just showed up to live at BRD. We'll see what Andy thinks about it:
Yeah, any input would be much appreciated.
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Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:20 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
Have a friend in Llano that has one on his 205. He lost no speed, said he may have even gained a little in cruise I think. Hasn't noticed any significant reduction in climb either, he's had it a few years now. IO-470 on this 205.
I believe he did the cowl flap mod and has the exhaust extension. Never heard any complaints about cooling, have picked his brain on it as I'm interested in putting one on the wagon.
I can PM you his phone number if you like. Don't take my word on anything, going off memory from last conversation bout it a couple years ago haha.
I believe he did the cowl flap mod and has the exhaust extension. Never heard any complaints about cooling, have picked his brain on it as I'm interested in putting one on the wagon.
I can PM you his phone number if you like. Don't take my word on anything, going off memory from last conversation bout it a couple years ago haha.
Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:21 am
Re: Cargo Pod Questions
low rider wrote:I have noticed no speed penalty . Pod holds 300 lbs . I have the access door on the pilot side . . I just leave it on all the time , But not really that hard to take on and off at all as it's just a bunch of screws. . .
You should post a photo of it
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