Cessna 206 vs Cessna 210
The Cessna 206 Stationair and Cessna 210 Centurion are Cessna's big six-seat high-wing singles — and the 206 vs 210 choice is fixed-gear hauling versus retractable-gear speed. The 206 Stationair is the load-hauler: fixed gear, a big cargo door and the muscle to carry people and freight into short strips. The 210 Centurion is the fast one: retractable gear and high-performance cruise for covering ground quickly. How each is priced now, and how many are out there, is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
- For sale now
- 160
- Median asking
- $470,636
- Range
- $171,175–$898,750
- Model years available
- 1962–2026
- For sale now
- 177
- Median asking
- $249,750
- Range
- $90,200–$695,000
- Model years available
- 1960–2021
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 206 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 210 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 29 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 48 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 58 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 56 |
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 206 | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 292 | 819 |
| Serious | 23 | 64 |
| Fatal | 55 | 192 |
| Fatalities | 147 | 413 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 23% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 206 | Cessna 210 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $171,175 – $898,750 | $90,200 – $695,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 260–325 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 142 kts (263 km/h) | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) |
| Range | 840 nm (1,556 km) | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,700 ft (4,785 m) | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,400 lbs (635 kg) | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 90.0 gal (341 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 206
Cessna 210
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 206 or Cessna 210?
Bottom line: Choose the 206 Stationair for hauling — fixed-gear simplicity, a large cargo door and the payload that makes it a favourite for utility, floats and families with gear. Choose the 210 Centurion for speed and range — retractable gear and strong cruise turn the same six-seat layout into a genuine fast traveler, with the added complexity and cost of a retractable system. On safety both are capable high-wing singles; the 210 asks for retractable-gear discipline, while the 206 keeps it simple — a difference in systems, not safety class. The Stationair hauls; the Centurion flies fast.
Pick the 206 if…
- Longer range — 840 nm vs 700 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1964 vs 1960.
Pick the 210 if…
- Budget matters — from $90,200 vs $171,175, you save ~$80,975.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 142 kts.
- More inventory — 28 listings vs 10.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.