Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair vs Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven Ii
The Cessna Turbo Stationair is a single‑engine, fixed‑wing utility airplane designed for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel from runways, while the Robinson R44 Raven II is a light, single‑engine helicopter optimized for short-hop access, hovering, and landing where no runway exists. In category terms, the Turbo Stationair fits the high‑performance piston/utility airplane role with strong payload flexibility, whereas the R44 Raven II is a four-seat light helicopter commonly used for training, patrol, and aerial work as well as personal transport. For range, the Turbo Stationair generally offers a substantially longer cross‑country capability—often on the order of roughly 700 to 900+ nautical miles depending on configuration, power settings, and reserves—while the R44 Raven II is typically closer to roughly 300 to 400 nautical miles under similar planning assumptions. Passenger capacity is comparable in maximum seats, with many Turbo Stationair variants seating up to six (including the pilot), while the R44 Raven II typically seats four (including the pilot), though usable load in both depends heavily on fuel and conditions.
| Spec | Cessna Turbo Stationair | ROBINSON R44 Raven II |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 1.08 | $ 2.36 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Cessna | Robinson Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | 206 Turbo Stationair | R44 Raven II |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 703 | 300 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.18 | $ 0.59 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 174 | $ 257 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 161 | 109 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $745,000 | $ 490,000 |
| Useful Load (lbs) | — | 995 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | No | No |
| Model | TIO-540-AJ1A | IO-540 |
| Fuel Type | AvGas | AvGas |
| TBO (hrs) | 2000 | 2200 |
| TBO (yrs) | 12 | 12 |
| Horsepower | 350 | 245 |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injected | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 87 | 29.5 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 28.3 | 38.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 36 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 3.6 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.2 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.1 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 9.4 | 10.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 11 | 2.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 33 |