Overview
OverviewThe Cessna 210 is a high-performance, high-wing, retractable gear aircraft in production since 1957.
The C210 is the very first Cessna aircraft built solely as a retractable gear aircraft. Since 1957, over 9,000 Cessna 210’s have been built.
The Cessna 210 started out as basically a more powerful, retractable-gear version of the Cessna 182. Over time the C210 evolved to larger engines, a new wing and more interior space increasing from four to six seats.
The Cessna Centurion can haul heavy loads at fast speeds and has enough room for a larger family. The combination of utility and the everyday versatility of the 210, make it extremely popular for a wide variety of pilots.
Specifics
The Cessna 210 is a Four and Six-seat, high performance, single-engine, high-wing aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear. Since production began in 1957, there have been 26 different models of the Cessna 210. The first 210’s had only four-seats and came equipped with the Continental IO-470 engine which delivered 260 horsepower. Since the Cessna 210 is essentially a RG Cessna 182, it’s important to note that the very first 210 had 40 more horsepower than the first Cessna 182. Since the C210 also came standard with retractable-gear, the base Cessna 210 could fly at 152 knots vs 139 knots for the Cessna 182. In 1966 Cessna introduced the Cessna 210F, which had the first optional turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C engine, which increased the horsepower to 310.
Speed and Range
The 1957 Cessna 210 came with the Continental IO-470-E and flew at 152 knots. The engine burned about 14 gallons per hour and with 65 gallon fuel capacity the C210 had a range of 800 miles. The 1972 Cessna 210 came with an increased Continental IO-520-L engine with 285/300 horsepower and this model flew at 175 knots. The IO-520 engine burned 15.6 gallons per hour but with a larger 90 gallon fuel capacity, range increased to 874 miles.
The 1978 Cessna P210N came with a Continental TSIO-520-AF engine that produced 310 horsepower and could fly at 200 knots.
Utility
The Cessna 210 has a wide variety of utility due to its fast speed and available payload of 876 pounds. The Cessna 210, with it’s larger interior can take six people a good distance and get them there rather quickly. The Cessna 210 is renowned as a fantastic cargo carrying plane, capable of getting cargo in and out of airports and smaller stripe. The Cessna 210 is also considered one of the very best and top of the line single-engine aircraft due to its speed, passenger capacity and high payload. The Cessna 210 had such a wide-variety of models and now optional add-ons that it’s utility as an aircraft is limitless.
Why choose a Cessna 210?
The Cessna 210 is a fast, advanced aircraft, newer or less qualified pilots should steer clear of this aircraft until their experience builds. Typically, you would want to build 500 total hours, at least 50 of them being in retractable gear aircraft. You would also want to get your IFR rating before transitioning into a Cessna 210.
If you are qualified, there are a multitude of reasons for choosing a Cessna Centurion. If you have a larger family and you can afford the cost of owning and maintaining a Cessna 210, you can fly your family a great distance very quickly. If you need to move small cargo or want to operate a small Part 135 operation, the Cessna 210 is a great aircraft for that.
