mtv wrote:Go with the 206. You'll never look back.

Performance? I'd put a good strong 206 up against any 185 carrying the same load. Takeoff or land.

Need a tailwheel? Really? Why and where? There was a fuel haul going on, and they were using a 185, cause "a 206 couldn't land there". They took the gear out of the 185. I went in with a bigger load in a 206 a couple days later. That strip was rough, but the 206 was a far better airplane for that strip in any case. We had a big nose fork and an 8.00 nose tire, 8.50 mains.

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said here, except the 206 will GENERALLY be a little faster at the same fuel burn in my experience. Part of that is 185's start fast, but slow down as you add tabs for skis, floats, etc.

If you want a fire breathing back country load hauler, find a good 206 with the IO 550. You can go to 3800 GW in a 206 with the 550 or one with wing extensions.

185 cockpit is a LOT smaller, width and length.

The 185 is NOT, in my opinion, a 6 place airplane under almost any circumstance.

We lost our 185, which I had flown over 3000 hours. My boss wanted me to provide an assessment of the relative benefits of 185 vs 206 for replacement. I did a fair job, and much to my dismay, they picked a U206F with a 550. It took me about one flight to realize how much better an airplane that thing was than the 185, in so many ways.

Landing in 40 knot gusting winds? 206 = no sweat 185 = go somewhere else.

A good 206 may be hard to find, but they're out there. Lots of them around that have sat a lot and not been working airplanes, if you look around. I have the feeling, however, you'll find prices pretty strong on 206s.

Good luck.

MTV