CESSNA F406 CARAVAN II

Passengers 10

The Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II (or Cessna F406) is a turboprop twin-engine utility aircraft manufactured and designed through a collaboration between aircraft manufacturers Reims Aviation (France) and the Cessna Aircraft Company (USA). The F406 was manufactured between 1983 and 2013, when Reims Aviation filed for bankruptcy.

Measuring 39 ft (11.89 m) long, the Cessna F406 is aimed at passenger and small cargo transport. For extra cargo capacity, a cargo pod can be attached to its belly. The aircraft is also widely used in civilian and military surveillance. A maritime surveillance version of the aircraft, the Surmar, comes equipped with extra gear such as the Thales communications COMINT system and the Bendix (or today, the Telephonics) RDR-1500 radar.

A development of the piston propeller 404, the Cessna F406 can be used as a cargo aircraft, or provide 10-14 seats and transport a small amount of cargo. Although the plane’s two engines make the F406 more costly to operate than its single engine counterpart, the 208 Caravan I, they also provide durability and power.

The Cessna F406 is a highly adaptable aircraft, and one capable of handling rough ground. It has proven popular with both civilian and military buyers. With good range and payload capacity, it can take a variety of roles. The aircraft was designed with developing nations in mind, and it is valued in these countries for its dependability, versatility and rough-field capabilities.

After Reims Aviation entered receivership in 2013, manufacture of the Cessna F406 ceased, but there has been recent interest in both China and USA in resurrecting this adaptable twin-engine aircraft (see Past and Present).