T206H Stationair vs GA8 Airvan
The T206H Stationair leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Cessna / Textron Aviation T206H Stationair (introduced 1998) beside the GippsAero GA8 Airvan (introduced 2000) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are utility, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the GA8 Airvan carries more passengers. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
T206H Stationair vs GA8 Airvan: the key differences
- The GA8 Airvan delivers 5% more range (T206H Stationair: 693 nm; GA8 Airvan: 730 nm).
- The T206H Stationair delivers 29% more cruise speed (T206H Stationair: 155 kt; GA8 Airvan: 120 kt).
- The GA8 Airvan delivers 33% more passenger capacity (T206H Stationair: 6 seats; GA8 Airvan: 8 seats).
- The GA8 Airvan is the newer design (introduced 2000 versus 1998 for the T206H Stationair), a gap of 2 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The GA8 Airvan is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (4,000 lbs versus 3,600 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for short-haul and regional hops, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the GA8 Airvan seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the GA8 Airvan leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The T206H Stationair can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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T206H Stationair vs GA8 Airvan: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the T206H Stationair or the GA8 Airvan?
The GA8 Airvan has the longer published range — 730 nm versus 693 nm for the T206H Stationair.
Does the T206H Stationair or GA8 Airvan seat more passengers?
The GA8 Airvan carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 8 seats, compared with 6 on the T206H Stationair.
Which is faster, the T206H Stationair or the GA8 Airvan?
The T206H Stationair cruises faster, at 155 kt versus 120 kt for the GA8 Airvan.
Which is newer, the T206H Stationair or the GA8 Airvan?
The GA8 Airvan is the newer design, introduced in 2000 versus 1998 for the T206H Stationair.
Is the T206H Stationair or the GA8 Airvan the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the GA8 Airvan is the larger aircraft — 4,000 lbs versus 3,600 lbs for the T206H Stationair.
Should I buy the T206H Stationair or the GA8 Airvan?
On published specifications the GA8 Airvan leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The T206H Stationair can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the T206H Stationair vs GA8 Airvan?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.