Hi!

We are operating 4 C 206 commercially in Norway both with Conti 520 and 550 engines. In order to use the gross weight increase from 3500 to 3800lbs with the 550 engine and wing tip tanks the authority requires new performance data for the engine airframe combination since the POH only covers the performance for the 520 engine with 3500 lbs. Does anybody know where to get these performance data?

Thanks, Daniel

The manufacturer of the Tip tanks (Assuming Flint? ), STOL kit, Engine, Float manufacturer will have an STC with the performance numbers if they're at all changed from the original POH. Contact them, they should be able to give you some answers.

PM sent Daniel.....

Thx, I will try with the shop who installed the engine. There is no revised performance data in the airplanes documentation.

In Canada at least, the U 206G has a gross weight of 3600 lbs. On the flint tanks website there is a statement to the effect of "an aircraft with tips installed operating at 3800 lbs will perform as a stock airplane at 3600"
There is also a similar claim about take off distances and climb performance.

The 3500 lbs limit only applies on floats, assuming the floats are big enough to carry that weight.

In the past, flint tanks only allowed for an ipgross if that increased weight was carried as fuel in the tip tanks, but it seems that restriction has been removed. At least, I can't find any mention of it now.

It's been my experience that the performance gains of the 550 are more than negated by the increased fuel burn and higher maintenance costs, although YMMV.