Besides STOL kits, what are some of the most useful STCs available for the U206?

Off the top of my head:

BAS harnesses up front and at least 3 point shoulder and lap belts for the center/rear seats.

Stainless tuned exhaust. I have had the Leading Edge exhaust for nearly 20 years, and it has been 100% trouble-free. Not sure if anyone is making these any more. The stock IO-520F exhaust was always cracking.

Cleveland wheels (replace the stock McCauleys, which are prone to cracking)

Airglas nose fork for big tires all around

6 place engine monitor with fuel flow--helps enormously with fuel management since there's no "both"

GAMI-jectors save fuel and help keep CHTs cool on the hottest days (I'm still chasing baffle leaks to get #5 under control)

I've been considering electronic ignition for a long time, but have yet to pull the trigger.

The remote oil cooler that fits in the nose gear tunnel is a good mod. Really keeps oil temps from running near the top of the gauge. It did for the turbo models anyhow.

Wycliffe Jaars, I believe, had an stc for mission groups for a flap dump switch. It was mounted on the top of the left horn of the pilots yoke. It was very useful when landing short but lightly loaded as you could be dumping flaps in the flare to get the mains on the ground and braking. Not sure if anyone else had an stc for that. It was fairly simple but useful when flying in different configurations.

We had both VGs and the Robertson STOL on our planes. Worked well together. Bang for buck the VGs win.

Intercooler can give a bit more power on turbocharged but not sure if it's worth the money. We had them on ours and I never flew one without it.

Cargo pods are great for bulky flights to help get a max weight load haul.

Flint tip tanks can raise the max gross up 200 lbs (3800lb vs 3600) plus give an extra 15 gal per side.

Jaydub

Cowl Right Hand Access


Flint Tips

10" Alaska Bush Wheels

Knisely Exhaust

B&C Backup Alternator

Horizon Tach

V brace

GAMI's

Thanks!

I can confirm that some of the STCs popular with missionary groups are pretty sweet. My 206 was formerly a missionary bird and it has the flap switch relocated, flap dump switch, 7 seat stc, a tail skid, bigger cowl flaps, and a few other goodies that come in handy. Also when I had it in the other day for a strut seal replacement, the mechanic said it has a "bigger" nose fork strut?

CAVU wrote: I've been considering electronic ignition for a long time, but have yet to pull the trigger.

Hi CAVU, is there a lightweight battery option for the 206 that supports electronic ignition?

jaydub wrote:The remote oil cooler that fits in the nose gear tunnel is a good mod. Really keeps oil temps from running near the top of the gauge. It did for the turbo models anyhow.

Intercooler can give a bit more power on turbocharged but not sure if it's worth the money. We had them on ours and I never flew one without it.

Cargo pods are great for bulky flights to help get a max weight load haul.

Flint tip tanks can raise the max gross up 200 lbs (3800lb vs 3600) plus give an extra 15 gal per side.

Jaydub

Thanks Jaydub, would the flint tanks work well with a Robertson? I'm still learning the plane, I understand aileron authority can be problematic?

Do you have more information on the intercooler and oil cooler mods? I did some looking and couldn't find much.

macica wrote:10" Alaska Bush Wheels

Thanks macica, what advantage do the 10" wheels offer?

I have the Flint tips with Robertson. Roll authority a non issue.
I also have installed the Sportsman leading edge. A very capable machine!

I should add that I have quite a lot of time in Twin Otters. Learn to use your feet when the flaps/ailerons are deployed.
More adverse yaw for sure, rudder becomes way more important for roll control when slow.

CParker wrote:
Hi CAVU, is there a lightweight battery option for the 206 that supports electronic ignition?

I haven’t looked into it. I’m still flying with the heavy Concordes. I know every ounce adds up, but I can’t notice a difference in performance in a 206 with one less gallon of gas on board. I’m more interested in what the electronic ignition with variable timing might do.

Forward door

Does an STC exist to install a fuel selector with a "both" position?

CParker wrote:Does an STC exist to install a fuel selector with a "both" position?

In my experience in the larger Cessnas they imbalance if you even look at them the wrong way, I have L R both and off on my 185, I really hardly ever use both

In fact the guy who had it before me had it live in both, installed aileron trim because as one would expect it would always end up with a heavy wing

I've not flown a C206 for 20 years but does the MT prop make much difference?

Jaydub[/quote]

macica wrote:10" Alaska Bush Wheels

Thanks macica, what advantage do the 10" wheels offer?[/quote]

Can confirm - the Robertson kit on the 206 feels like cheating.

I did a bunch of flying with an unmodified small-tail 182F (old style wing) before purchasing this 206 and the elevator authority and slow speed capability of this 206 is an entirely new experience.

I’m pretty well sold on needing the oil cooler relocation kit. I have an email out for pricing.

I have zero gripes about this plane with the exception of cylinder 5 dictating the way I run the engine - including running several GPH over book to keep that cylinder under 380-390* in cruise, even in winter temps. It’s as much as 50-60* hotter than the coolest cylinder.

CParker wrote:Thanks!

I can confirm that some of the STCs popular with missionary groups are pretty sweet. My 206 was formerly a missionary bird and it has the flap switch relocated, flap dump switch, 7 seat stc, a tail skid, bigger cowl flaps, and a few other goodies that come in handy. Also when I had it in the other day for a strut seal replacement, the mechanic said it has a "bigger" nose fork strut?

Probably a Cessna 310 nose fork. Best for that purpose is the Airglas nose fork, because: a) It is STC'd, no field approval required, b) It's STC includes a wide range of tire sizes for both the nose gear AND the Mains. Again, try getting a field approval for bigger tires in most FSDOs these days.

My absolute favorite mods on a 206:

Robertson STOL
Sportsman Leading Edge
Continental IO 550 engine
GAMI Injectors (which will even out your CHTS.....)
Airglas Nose Fork, with 8.50 x 6 mains and 8.00 x 600 nose tire.
A FULL engine monitor, I prefer JPI
Flint tip tanks IF you really, really need the gas and GW, otherwise, nope. Bear in mind that the different models have different useable fuel capacities. The IO 550 LOVES LOP ops, though.

That's about all I'd put on my wish list. VGs I despise, for a couple reasons: First, on this wing, they really don't do much. Second, they are a great way to induce a major bleed while fueling, as in wrist slashers......

MTV

Ive only ever flown a 206 amphib with a Robertson. while nothing to compare it directly to. it yanks upwards and I don't have any complaints about the Aileron authority people say lacks.

my flaps have the notches selector eliminated and a flap switch installed. so you can hold up or down to pick exactly the degree of flap you prefer. 14, 16.. whatever, gives a few more options.

I know a guy whose rewired his to a RH trim switch on the yoke.

that would be handy for pulling em up or down more like a 180/185!

I have field approved 8.50 mains and 7.00 on the regular HD nose fork. I doubt I will go any bigger than 8.50s on this plane unless I get another just for XC since I fly XC 80% of the time.

That said, does it make sense in my case to get the STC fork? I could see maybe going to an 8.00 in the front, but is that worth it?

if you want more of a slanted look. a few lbs more weight way up front and more fw CG. or you want to land on softer stuff. Get the expensive steel fork an 800.

otherwise the 700 sounds good. im putting your same fork and a 700 on my 206. appears I have tin foil thickness of clearance between the fork and tire...