Cessna 210

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The Cessna 210 Centurion is a 6 seat, high-performance, single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957. Production was completed in 1985.

The early Cessna 210s had 4 seats and a IO470 260-hp engine, in 1961 a third side window was added. Starting with the 1964 model 210D, they were equipped with a 285-hp engine and were given 2 small child seats.

In 1967 the model 210G was the first model with a cantilever wing replacing the strut-braced wing. In 1970 the 210K became the first full 6-seat model. Some models featured de-icing boots as an option.

The aircraft was offered in a normally aspirated version, designated the model 210, as well as the turbocharged T210 and the pressurized P210 versions.

Contents 1 Variants 2 Commercial operators 3 210 Training 4 Modifications 5 Notable crashes 6 Succession 7 Military operators 8 Specifications (210N Centurion II) 8.1 General characteristics 8.2 Performance 9 External links 10 Related content

[edit] Variants

The Cessna 210 was offered in several variants. The 210N, T210N (turbocharged), and P210N (pressurized) versions were produced in the greatest quantity. The rarest and most expensive models were the T210R and P210R, which were produced only in small quantities in 1985-86.

The early strut-winged Cessna 210 was developed into a fixed-gear aircraft known as the Cessna 205. This spawned an entirely new family of Cessna aircraft including the Cessna 206 and the eight seat 207.

The main competitors to the 210 are the Beechcraft 36 Bonanza, Piper Saratoga, and Piper Malibu.

[edit] Commercial operators

The 210 is preferred by many operators because it has the speed and carrying capacity of many twin-engined aircraft with the economy of only one engine. Outside USA, it is common in Southern Africa, Australia & Papua New Guinea. The largest known fleet of 210's (59 aircraft) is operated by Flight Express of Orlando, Florida. Outside the U.S., a fleet of 7 Cessna 210 is operated in Windhoek, Namibia by an air charter operator.

[edit] 210 Training

In most cases insurance companies require type-specific training and/or simulator training for pilots to fly such an aircraft. Several simulator training companies offers such services, including FlightSafety International in Kansas and Flight Level Aviation in Pennsylvania.

[edit] Modifications

O&N Aircraft offers a turboprop conversion of the Pressurized Cessna P210N known as the "Silver Eagle". The conversion is actually more of a re-manufacturing process. A new Silver Eagle conversion is nearly a new aircraft built on the original Cessna airframe. The tail and other components are modified to handle the 450 horsepower generated by the 205 pound Rolls Royce Turbine. As part of the conversion, all avionics are replaced with a new panel, the exterior is stripped and painted and the interior is completely replaced. The finished product has excellent fit and finish and rivals fine automobiles.

The Silver Eagle improves on the very capable P210 airframe primarily by adding turbine performance and reliability. The turbine turns the propeller at a docile 2016 rpm creating a very quiet and smooth ride. The exterior dB levels are very low.

The climb performance of the Silver Eagle is noteworthy. Initial climb rates at 4000 lb gross weight are usually in the 2100 - 2300 feet per minute (fpm) and can exceed 3000 fpm at lesser weight. Cruise climbs of 135 - 145 knots and 1500 fpm are not uncommon. The power to weight ratio also makes for short take-offs which will usually be far less than 1000 feet. Landing distances can also be cut down to well under 1000 feet using propeller reverse pitch (beta). Useful load is around 1400 lbs depending on equipment.

Cruise speeds vary widely based on engine output and airframe extras. Most Silver Eagle's receive a power enhancement package to boost engine output on average by 10-14%. An enhanced engine will allow for real world cruise speeds in the 200 - 210 knot range. One Silver Eagle has documented a TAS (true airspeed) of 224 knots in cruise.

The Rolls Royce engine sips fuel at altitude and will burn between 20 - 28 gallons of Jet A per hour depending on altitude and air temperature. That will convert to between 6-10 nautical miles per gallon (NMPG). 10 NMPG (about 11.6 mpg)is almost as good some SUV's on the road today. Max range with a full 147 gallons of Jet A is over 1350nm (1566 miles).

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[edit] Notable crashes

While flying an early model 210A, famed test pilot Scott Crossfield crashed and died in the woods of Georgia on April 20, 2006; the preliminary NTSB report indicates the pilot crashed after flying into a severe (Level 6) thunderstorm and does not note any mechanical or aircraft design defect leading to this crash.

[edit] Succession

Cessna re-introduced three single engine models in the 1990s that had been out of production since 1986 - the Cessna 172, 182 and 206. The 210 was not reintroduced at that time as it was company policy that all re-introduced aircraft would be recertified to the latest FAR Part 23 standards instead of the original CAR-3 standards. Due to its single spar wing structure, the 210 could not meet the current certifcation standards. This left a gap in the Cessna line for a high-performance single engine aircraft that was quickly filled by competitors such as the Cirrus SR22 and Columbia 400. In 2006 Cessna announced that they will produce a new aircraft, known while under development as the Cessna NGP. This new aircraft will fill the gap left in the Cessna line when the 210 went out of production in 1986.

[edit] Military operators

• Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Philippines.

[edit] Specifications (210N Centurion II)

[edit] General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 5 passengers (plus pilot)
• Length: 28ft 2in
• Wingspan: 39ft 9 in
• Height: 9ft 8in
• Wing area: 181 sq ft
• Empty: 2400 lb
• Loaded: 4016 lb
• Maximum takeoff: 4000 lb
• Powerplant: Continental TSIO-520-R Take Off Power: 310 BHP Max Continuous: 285 BHP

[edit] Performance

• Maximum speed: 199 knots (T/P Versions)
• Range: 1000nm 75% power at 24,000 ft
• Service ceiling: 27,000 ft
• Rate of climb: 930 ft/min
• Wing loading: 22.9 lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.0775 hp/lb

[edit] External links

• Cessna Pilots Association
• Cessna Owner Organization

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Cessna 182
• Cessna 206

Comparable aircraft

• Cessna 206
• Piper Saratoga
• Piper Malibu
• Beechcraft Bonanza

See also