VH-ZAO

VH-ZAO is a Reims Aviation F406 Caravan II, a twin-engine piston aircraft operated by GWYTHER, John Leslie. SkyMeter has tracked 36 flights totalling 13 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is YWSL to YWSL. Service window in our records spans 378 days. The Reims Aviation F406 Caravan II has a maximum takeoff weight of 4,630 lb, light wake category.

About the Reims Aviation F406 Caravan II

The Reims F406 Caravan II is a twin-engine utility aircraft developed by French manufacturer Reims Aviation in the 1980s as a pressurized derivative of the Cessna 337 Skymaster push-pull design. Unlike its predecessor, the F406 features conventional wing-mounted engines and a sleek, business-like fuselage capable of seating up to fourteen passengers or carrying specialized surveillance equipment. Powered by two Continental TSIO-520 turbocharged piston engines, the Caravan II found its niche in roles demanding endurance and versatility—maritime patrol, aerial surveillance, air ambulance, and light cargo operations—rather than speed or luxury.

What distinguishes the F406 is its operational flexibility in austere environments. With a service ceiling around 30,000 feet and pressurization allowing comfortable high-altitude cruise, it bridges the gap between unpressurized piston twins and turboprops, offering jet-like cabin comfort at a fraction of the operating cost. The type earned particular favor with government agencies and military forces for reconnaissance and coastal patrol missions, where its long loiter capability and relatively quiet engines proved advantageous. France's customs service and several African nations operated the F406 for border surveillance, while civilian operators valued its rugged landing gear and short-field performance.

Production ceased in the late 1980s after fewer than 100 airframes were built, making the F406 a relatively rare sight today. Its operating envelope—never-exceed speed of 198 knots, normal cruise around 165 knots, and stall speeds in the high 50s—reflects its design priorities of stability and endurance over outright performance. The type remains in limited service with specialized operators who appreciate its unique combination of pressurization, twin-engine reliability, and modest acquisition costs. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.