The Cessna 206 Stationair is a six-seat single-engine general aviation aircraft with fixed landing gear used in commercial air service and for personal use. It is also used for aerial photography, skydiving and other utility purposes. Originally developed from the popular retractable-gear Cessna 210, the 206 has a powerful engine, rugged construction and a large cabin that has made it a popular bush plane. Cessna describes it as “the sport utility vehicle of the air”. It is supported by an active aircraft type club, the Cessna Pilots Association.

The 206 was introduced in 1964 and built until 1986, when Cessna halted production of its single-engine product. It was reintroduced in 1998 and remains in production in 2007. There are many sub-variants, and the total number produced between 1964 and 2004 was 6,581 aircraft.

The original 1964 model was the U206. The “U” designation indicated “utility” and this aircraft was equipped with a pilot side door and large clamshell rear door serving the back two rows of seats, allowing easy loading of oversized cargo. From 1964 to 1969, it was known as the “Super Wagon”. From 1970 it was named the “Stationair”, a contraction of “Station Wagon of the Air”. Production of the U206 was halted in 1986 was halted when Cessna stopped manufacturing all piston engine aircraft. A total of 5,208 U206s had been manufactured.