Cessna 206
One of two commercial trainers available in the Basair aircraft inventory, the Cessna 206H/G model has a reputation in Australia as the most versatile bush aircraft. The aircraft boasts a powerful engine, impressive low speed performance, large carry load, ease of maintenance and modifications. In Australia the aircraft is used as, small passenger charter, skydiving, forestry survey aircraft, powerline survey, a medical supply plane for bush communities and scenic tour aircraft. With a six seat cabin design, baggage area limit of 90kg (seats can be removed to provide even more space), a powerful Lycoming(H Model)/Continental(G Model) 300HP six cylinder horizontally opposed fuel injected engine, fixed tricycle landing gear suspended on steel spring struts and a large wing planform – the aircraft can carry a lot more than both Pipers but can land on airfields of soft surfaces and at minimum distance of 500m. With the Cessna 206 more powerful engine, the range increases to 670 nautical miles or 1250kms. It has a total capacity fuel load of 350 litres split into two wing tanks. Under normal conditions the aircraft can maintain a cruise speed of 137 knots or 250 kph at altitude. At BASAIR the aircraft is predominantly used in the commercial training syllabus but on occasion is used for small passenger operations under Australia By Air. The aircraft is certified for night operations, instrument flight and day operations. Compared to the Piper Arrow, the Cessna 206 is widely used in the aviation industry for entry level commercial pilot jobs – therefore our students or alumni when they complete their course are competitive candidates as they search for employment.
Beechcraft Baron
Included in Basair inventory is the final General Aviation company of the big three – Beechcraft Aviation. The Beechcraft Baron 55 is widely regarded as the premier twin engine small passenger charter aircraft, with a cabin seat configuration of 6 or 5 depending on club seating arrangement. The Baron, introduced in 1960 was marketed as a bridging option for private or commercial operators who wanted an aircraft which balanced the carrying capacity of the single engine Beechcraft Bonanza and the reliability and redundancy of a second engine which provided much higher cruise speed of 200 knots or 370kph. The aircraft also had a wing tank in each wing with a total capacity of 520 litres and options of additional fuel cells which increased the range to 942 nautical miles or 1744km. A pair of Continental engines with six cylinders each horizontally opposed, fuel injected and capable of producing 285BPH each, the Baron has impressive acceleration and can comfortably climb and cruise whilst still having reserves of power. In the internal cockpit features reliable vacuum air instruments with a modern GPS which meets instrument flying standards for small air transport operations. In Australia the Baron is widely used as small passenger charter and can be modified to conduct aerial survey for geological purposes, the wine industry, fire detection and powerline survey – it is a common aircraft used to charity organisations such as Little Wings which provide passenger transport for paediatric patients.
