Introduction
The Cessna 207, along with the 205 and 206, together form a related group of single-engine general aviation aircraft; the three of these types have fixed landing gear and were originally developed from the popular Cessna 210. They have all been used commercially as well as by private pilots. They differ from the more well-known Cessna single-engine aircraft, such as the Cessna 172 and Cessna 182, in that they are all rugged aircraft suitable for flying in rough conditions and terrain. So they have become popular as bush planes and are well known for this purpose.
The Cessna 207 was first introduced in 1969. It was a seven to the eight-seat version of the 206, i.e., somewhat larger. This was achieved by making the fuselage longer in order to accommodate more seats. Originally the 207 was called the ‘Skywagon,’ but in 1977, the name was changed to ‘Stationair 7’. Production of the Cessna 207 ceased in 1984 when a total of 626 examples of the type had been made.
The Cessna 207 has been particularly popular with air taxi companies, especially on short runs, where its full seating capacity could be used. In fact, relatively few of these aircraft have been used by private pilots, possibly because of their size and weight. But those private pilots who own and fly one seem to like them, and they appreciate the fact that they have so much space for passengers and luggage.
Specifications
Exterior
-
- Exterior Height: 9 ft 7 in
- Wing Span: 35 ft 10 in
- Length: 32 ft 2 in
Interior
- Wing Area: 16.2 m² 174 ft²
Occupancy
- Crew: 1
- Passengers: 5 – 7
Operating Weights
- Max T/O Weight: 3600 Lb
- Operating Weight: 2522 Lb
- Empty weight: 2172 Lb
- Fuel Capacity: 534 Lb
- Payload Useful: 1628 Lb
- Payload W/Full Fuel: 556 Lb
- Max Payload: 1078 Lb
Range
- Service Ceiling: 13300 ft
Distances
- Takeoff Distance: 1100 ft
- Balanced Field Length: 2100 ft
- Landing Distance: 2358 ft
Performance
- Rate of Climb: 950 fpm
- Max Speed: 161 knots
- Normal Cruise: 149 knots
- Cost per Hour: $ 222.76
Power Plant
- Engines: 1
- Engine Mfg: Continental
- Engine Model: IO-520-F
Prices
Since the Cessna 207 ceased production way back in 1984, all available models have now been pre-owned. This means that prices are likely to vary dramatically, depending on condition and age, and it is difficult to be precise. But according to one source, the average price for a pre-owned Cessna 207 is $159,000. However, I have seen some examples on sale for very much more than this, indeed up to $640,000. And there will be cheaper ones too, depending on the variant and of course the state of repair.
Performance and Handling
The Cessna 207 has sometimes been described as somewhat like an aerial version of a minivan! That is, it can carry a large number of people and a sizeable weight in reasonable comfort – and that is mainly what it is used for. It is basically a simple single-engined aircraft with rugged and well-proven systems, but just a lot larger and beefier than the aircraft types it was derived from. Thus, unlike better-known aircraft such as the Cessna 172, it can easily carry a large family with all their gear on a skiing holiday, for example. So it has been popular where these sorts of handling qualities are required.
The Cessna 207’s weight means that it is fairly immune to turbulence, which makes it quite easy to fly in all conditions. It has very effective flaps, and its slow-speed handling is better than many smaller models. When it comes to landing, you simply lower the flaps, trim the aircraft slightly nose up, and let it settle on the runway. This sort of landing will be familiar to any pilot who has flown a Cessna 152 or 172. And if you are in a rough area with no runways, the 207 can easily be landed on any flat area about 1000 feet long. So flying it might be described as the proverbial piece of cake!
The 207 is not a fast aircraft by any means. You may not exactly win races in one, but its performance is really not all that bad. Indeed, the turbo version of the Skywagon will give true airspeeds of nearly 130 knots at low altitudes and 150 knots higher up. The normally aspirated models are similar at low altitudes but do not perform so well at height.
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance is similar to that on many other Cessna single-engine aircraft, so it should not be too difficult for the owner to manage. However, along with many other Cessna aircraft, 207s have a tendency to develop cracks in the doorposts, so owners should keep an eye open for these. They should also be aware of many Cessnas tending to develop wear in the seat tracks, causing the pilot’s seat to move backward suddenly at takeoff, sometimes with catastrophic results! I have had this happen in a Cessna 172 – luckily without causing a disaster – and it occurs in other models too.
But apart from these small snags, there should be no major problems. And despite the fact that the 207 is an old aircraft, service manuals are still readily available, and most mechanics would have no problem working on them.
Modifications and Upgrades
Soloy Aviation Solutions offers a turboprop conversion for some models of the Cessna 207. There have also been a number of variants over the years. The original 207 Skywagon had seven seats and was powered by a Continental IO-520-F engine. Next came the T207 Turbo Skywagon, with a turbocharged engine. Then there was the 207A Skywagon/Stationair 8, originally with seven seats but certified for eight seats in September 1979. And finally, we have the T207A Turbo Skywagon/Turbo Stationair 8, which was a turbocharged version of that recent variant. So there is quite a choice available.
Where to Find Replacement Parts
According to some owners, parts for the Cessna 207 are becoming increasingly expensive, probably due to their rarity. This is not by any means a common aircraft. But on the whole, the type was produced for long enough for second-hand and reconditioned parts to be fairly readily available if you look around carefully. An internet search brings up a large number of companies able to provide them, and some can also be found on eBay.
Common Problems
In company with the Cessna 205 and Cessna 206, the Cessna 207 does not have too many vices or exhibit many common problems. It is basically a simple single-engined aircraft, as we have already stated. It is described as being stable in the cruise and gentle in the stall, in company with many other Cessna aircraft.
Having said all that, careful planning is required if a pilot is undertaking a long trip with a full load of passengers and/or luggage. You can carry a full load of fuel or fill up all your aircraft seats and luggage space, but you cannot do both at the same time. But of course, this is common in a number of aircraft and by no means unique to the Cessna 207.
Also, some owners comment that you do need to be careful on shorter runways, as the Cessna 207 is not a short field aircraft. You do need a fair amount of space for a safe landing, and some pilots have been caught out by this.
Insurance Options
As with any aircraft insurance, the cover comes in two parts. There is liability insurance, which covers damage caused by the aircraft to people or property, and optional hull insurance, which is for damage or loss of the aircraft itself.
The cost of insurance varies greatly, depending on the state of the aircraft, and to a large extent, on pilot experience. So it is difficult to give precise figures for insurance costs for any model, and more so for a comparatively rare aircraft like a Cessna 207. However, one company quotes a figure of $2860 for annual insurance on a 207, as an average, divided into $1100 for liability coverage, and $1760 for hull insurance. This is likely to be fairly typical, but it should be emphasized that it is only a rough guide.
Resale Value
There are a number of factors influencing aircraft resale values. These include total airframe hours, engine hours since overhaul, equipment, maintenance, damage history, and aircraft condition. These are all within the control of the owner to a large extent. It is a known fact that if you want to get a good resale price for your Cessna 207 or any other aircraft for that matter, the most important thing is to take good care of it.
Having said that, one factor in the Cessna 207’s favor is that it is comparatively rare. This means that it is likely to hold its value, other things being equal, so long as there are pilots wanting to own one. And it does seem to be fairly popular among a certain type of pilot, and this is unlikely to change.
Owner and Pilot Reviews
Reviews of the Cessna 207 generally seem to emphasize the fact that it is a powerful aircraft that can carry a great deal of stuff and still perform well. But owners say that it is not perfect in all situations, and they are quick to point this out.
One owner commented that the Cessna 207 is excellent at carrying heavy loads and also had enough space inside for bulky luggage, plus being very good on rough fields. But, he said, “It is NOT a short field airplane. It’s heavier than a Cessna 206, and the wing does not fly as slow. You can zip in and out of some tight spots in the 206 not even thinking about it, where you’d be sitting up straight and sweating big time in the 207.”
Another owner said that the amount that the Cessna 207 could lift was “quite amazing.”
A third owner, who stated that he had over then thousand hours flying the type, emphasized that most of his hours were at sea level. He said that at altitude,” they run out of steam in a big hurry, and I think the service ceiling on them is maybe 13,000 feet”. However, he did point out that the turbo version could do a lot more and exhibited a great deal more flexibility when it came to flying at high altitudes.
So there you have it – in summary, the Cessna 207 is a good load carrier, but it needs to be flown within its limitations.
Similar Aircraft
There are not a huge number of rugged aircraft capable of load-hauling like the Cessna 207, so there are not many aircraft with which to compare it. Of course, in many ways, it is fairly similar to the aircraft in the same related group, i.e., the Cessna 205 and 206. And it has been described in its handling as similar to the Cessna 172 and 182. Here’s a guide on Cessna 172 vs 182. In fact, most Cessna single-engine aircraft are fairly similar when it comes to flying them! However, the Cessna 207 is much heavier and more rugged, so it might be as well not to expect to go straight from flying a smaller Cessna on to the 207 without some extra training and practice.
Clubs You Can Join
As for all Cessna owners, the best club to join is the Cessna Pilots Association, which can be found at cessna.org/. There are also Cessna Facebook groups and various regional and local organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the difference between the Cessna 206 and the Cessna 207?
Answer: The main difference between them is that the Cessna 207 is a seven or eight-seater and is 45 inches longer than the 206. Some pilots claim that this makes the handling very different, but others claim that the 207 is basically a stretched-out 206, and that is all there is to it.
Question: How fast is a Cessna 207?
Answer: The cruise speed is 143 knots, and the top speed is 150 knots. So it is quite a fast airplane in comparison to the Cessna 172 or 182, but it won’t win any races.
Question: Would the Cessna 207 be suitable for carrying gear for a kayaking trip?
Answer: It most certainly would. Indeed, many people use it for this sort of purpose – and also for carrying ski-ing gear, golf clubs, and similar activities. That is the type of thing it was specifically designed for.
Question: Is the Cessna 207 still being manufactured?
Answer: No. Unlike the Cessna 206, which is still being made, the production of the Cessna 207 stopped in the 1980s, but there are many examples of the type still flying.
Question: If I am accustomed to flying a Cessna 172, would it be difficult to fly a Cessna 207?
Answer: According to most pilots, it would be quite easy. Handling is said to be fairly similar, although, of course, the 207 is much heavier and more rugged. For this reason, it would be sensible to have some extra training before flying a Cessna 207 for the first time. But the conversion should not be too onerous.
Question: What is the difference between the Cessna 206 and the Cessna 207?
Answer: The main difference between them is that the Cessna 207 is a seven or eight-seater and is 45 inches longer than the 206. Some pilots claim that this makes the handling very different, but others claim that the 207 is basically a stretched-out 206, and that is all there is to it.
Question: How fast is a Cessna 207?
Answer: The cruise speed is 143 knots, and the top speed is 150 knots. So it is quite a fast airplane in comparison to the Cessna 172 or 182, but it won’t win any races.
Question: Would the Cessna 207 be suitable for carrying gear for a kayaking trip?
Answer: It most certainly would. Indeed, many people use it for this sort of purpose – and also for carrying ski-ing gear, golf clubs, and similar activities. That is the type of thing it was specifically designed for.
Question: Is the Cessna 207 still being manufactured?
Answer: No. Unlike the Cessna 206, which is still being made, the production of the Cessna 207 stopped in the 1980s, but there are many examples of the type still flying.
Question: If I am accustomed to flying a Cessna 172, would it be difficult to fly a Cessna 207?
Answer: According to most pilots, it would be quite easy. Handling is said to be fairly similar, although, of course, the 207 is much heavier and more rugged. For this reason, it would be sensible to have some extra training before flying a Cessna 207 for the first time. But the conversion should not be too onerous.
Conclusion
The Cessna 207 is a simple, strong, rugged aircraft, well suited to a large family or someone who wants to transport a large amount of sports gear or similar. It is the airborne equivalent of a minivan and also capable of landing in rough areas, so it makes a good bush plane. It is also easy to fly. Thus it suits a certain type of pilot, i.e., one who does not want great speed or aerobatic performance but does need to transport a lot of gear and also sometimes fly long distances. If this sounds like you, then the Cessna 207 may be just the plane you are looking for. Certainly, many pilots have found this to be the case and love the Cessna 207!
Recommended Reads:
- Cessna 182 vs 185 Compared: Which Is Better?
- Cessna TTX Guide and Specs
- Lancair 235 Guide and Specs – Is This the Right Monoplane for You?
Research Citations
AOPA https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/cessna-207
Globalair. https://www.globalair.com/aircraft-for-sale/Specifications?specid=404
Back Country Pilot. https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/c-207-performance-5257
Plane Check. https://www.planecheck.com/cessna207.htm
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