July 2013 Volume 30, Number 7 UIM Aviation s 1977 TU206 www.cessna.org
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A Highly Modified 1977 TU206 By Kevin Dunn UIM Aviation If you know anything about the world of missionary aviation in Mexico then you know that it presents some of the most challenging flying in North America for a Cessna 206 pilot. Short, unimproved, mountain airstrips with high density altitude are the norm and it requires an airplane that is up to the challenge. UIM Aviation, based in Tucson, AZ, is the aviation department of UIM International, Glendale, AZ. The pilots of UIMA have been flying in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico in support of church planters, Bible translators, medical and dental teams and other missionaries for over thirty years. For most of that time we have been improving and standardizing our fleet to meet our specific mission requirements. With just over 2600 hours total time and after an extensive rebuild and modification process that was completed in April, N6329C, a 1977 TU206G is now in service. The Cessna seats and seat rails were removed and we installed seating for seven using JAARS S-frame seats with Brownline tracks and Hooker harnesses. Installation of cargo d-rings, a cargo net, a Selkirk Aviation fiberglass interior and a new headliner rounded out the interior changes. We have modified three other TU206 over the years, but 29C is the first airplane that has gotten all the modifications at once. 29C was acquired in 2008 and we started the process by removing the wings to install Flint Aero wing tip tanks, a Sportsman leading edge and perform a 1000 hour inspection. The engine was overhauled at Western Skyways in Montrose, CO and we installed GAMI injectors. The propeller went to Warner Propeller of Tucson where it got an overhaul and three new blades due to being undersized from wear. The vintage KX170B radios were replaced with a Garmin stack including a GTN 650 driving a King HSI, SL30 nav/comm, GMA 350 audio panel and GTX 327 transponder. An electronic checklist and an Emergency Lifesaving Technologies 406MHz ELT rounded out the avionics upgrade. An Aerocet cargo pod allows us to haul 300 pounds outside the cabin giving more room for passengers. A 172 cowling oil access door installed in the pod allows easier access to the header tank drain on the right side. Along with the above we installed a seaplane v-brace for increased airframe strength, Micro Aerodynamics vortex generators on the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers for slow speed control enhancement and Aero Twin gravel guards. We replaced the main gear legs and overhauled the nose gear. The original McCauley wheels and brakes were replaced with Cleveland. The fuel bladders, windshield and side windows replaced, and as you can see it got a very nice paint job by Gus and his crew at Master Aircraft Services in Wickenburg, AZ. 36 Cessna Pilots Association -July 2013
So, why would you go to all this work and expense for a 36 year old airplane that is going to be used in a harsh environment that will take a heavy toll? There are several reasons. First, this configuration allows us the opportunity to take off at 3800 pounds, fly for two hours and land at maximum weight after a stabilized approach as slow as 51 knots to airstrips as short as 800 feet. Secondly, there is not currently another six place airplane available that has a lower hourly operating cost than the TU206 with a useful load of 1500 pounds that will meet our mission requirements. Thirdly, the enhancements give us the greatest margin of safety possible making the airplane as safe as possible in the challenging environment in which we operate. To us, the missionaries we fly are doing some of the most important work in the world, and providing them with a safe flight is worth the time and effort. For more information about UIM Aviation, check out our website at: www.uim-aviation.org 37