If the pilot is up to it the 210 is a truly great airplane. Lots of us have shared your experience. He is an ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. A partnership between Avidyne Corp., Southern Star Avionics of Mobile, Ala., and Crownair Aviation, Inc. of San Diego, has received an STC for the retrofit installation of Avidyne's Entegra integrated flight deck in Cessna 210 and T210 Series single-engine piston aircraft. The flexibility in the cabin led to another character trait: its truck-like handling. "January 2004: O&N Aircraft". The company displayed its first Crownair "Centurion Edition" Cessna T210 during the upcoming show in San Jose, CA, November 6 through 8. And when does the fuel efficiency change that makes it morat costly? I think I’d look carefully at one if I were in the market for a 210. What a great machine! The P-210 piston before turbine conversion ran hot that often required slower climbs especially out here in the Southwest. ; Variants. Cessna fixed the Cardinal gear in 78. 0 0 ... Passionate about aviation. Why? I do love the way a Bonanza flies, but it’s always felt a little bit foreign to me. The Centurion may rise again. An inexperienced mechanic who misses a minor squawk can create a much bigger problem when one wheel doesn’t come down in flight. Could that be a good thing? My favorite is obviously the Silver Eagle. I appreciate your article on the C210. He said, “That’s impossible, we aren’t faster than a bonanza.” He paused and said, “Unless they don’t have a supercharger.” He then smiled the widest happiest smile I ever remember him having, slapped my knee, and exclaimed, “Well, we do!” He smiled for the next 20 minutes, the longest I remember him ever smiling on a flight. Mine was “built on a Tuesday” so it trued out at an honest 175Kt. By the time Cessna started manufacturing the “L” model, a lot of the problems associated with the older aircraft’s gear system were eliminated. Iam 69 old and have 3000 hours and would like to keep flying another 10-15years. The only replacement for a 210 is another 210 . Sorry you didn’t like it Rob but I thought it was mostly complimentary. About 1150 lbs of people and stuff full of fuel and go. A trip into Washington Dulles one day in 2004 sold me on the airplane. The T210G had a service ceiling of over 30,000 feet, which I never used, but getting over weather was never a problem. Regrettably, though, I did not. It’s a complicated dance to get those wheels folded into the fuselage of a high-wing airplane, and the resulting system demands good maintenance. The C206 have maybe kept some of its market, haven’t it? While many pilots obsess about cruise speed or short field takeoff length, I always found the 210’s incredible load-hauling ability to be a breakthrough in performance. Mr. Zimmerman you need to talk to more owners before you comment on a particular plane. Mine had the “RAM” conversion as well as the gear doors removed. In the late 80’s early 90’s, I owned both a 74 Cardinal RG and a 76 T210. Avidyne and Crownair Aviation, based in San Diego, Calif., are jointly developing the STC. "Centurion owners and pilots own a piece of history, but that doesn’t mean the plane shouldn’t have modern technology and comforts. It’s an out performer in speed, load and with pressurization. According to a Richard Collins article I came across, the Silver Eagle was actually originally designed by Cessna as the C250 (rember it has an A250 turbine) but never made production. The V-tail Bonanza is either a joy to fly (according to owners) or a doctor killer (according to the internet). First, I had the pleasure of flying an honest-to-goodness holding pattern, one of only two I’ve ever flown for real in my 24 years of flying. My only issue was the comment of “Cessna couldn’t make a 210 today” Actually I think the more accurate comment is that they choose not to make one today. I’m not sure I want to own one again, but I’d sure love to fly one again. Hi John, But like all machines it’s a compromise. Of course I was IMC, of course there was a little ice, and of course there were a few bumps over the eastern edges of the Appalachian Mountains. And yet 33 years after it went out of production, there is no modern version of the Cessna 210. Breathing through an oxygen mask and being so far above the Rockies it looked as if there was no need to learn mountain flying while still having about 2 inches of throttle left was a heady experience. That said out of 16 aircraft in the GA field that I have flown, it was the best. The Crownair "Centurion Edition" is the first all glass cockpit in a Centurion T210 in the world," says Grant Murray, owner of Crownair. Sign up for our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots. Join thousands of other pilots - sign up for our informative email newsletter. Now I gotta worry about flying near 210s. BEECHCRAFT A36 Bonanza (1968 - 1983) Typical Price: $120,704.00 Total ... 2009 CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO LC41-550FG. If I had the need and $$$ I would own a Vitatoe-modified P210. Crownair Aviation Aug 2005 - Aug 2008 3 years 1 month. The Southern Star Avionics STC for Cessna 210, 320, 335, 340 & 400 models is available for purchase from Avidyne. The early Cessna 210 (210 and 210A) had 4 seats with a Continental IO-470 engine of 260 hp (190 kW). Later he asked where it was and I pointed to it at a 3 o’clock position. The 210 is a serious airplane, the Cardinal is a fun airplane. In 1961 the fuselage and wing were completely redesigned - the fuselage was made wider and deeper, and a third side window was added. For the same reason, many check-hauling operations flew 210s for years, criss-crossing the country at night with cabins stuffed full of canceled checks. The back two seats in a 210 are not exactly spacious, but they work well for shorter flights or for kids. Maybe the answer is a high performance high wing, not a low wing composite? Once I had an instrument rating (later that year) I stopped using the airlines at all. That is a nicety that a bucket of money will solve one day. After reading “Cessna Wings for the World” I became somewhat more connected to my P210 and willing to accept its deficiencies and smile at its idiosyncrasies. Crownair Aviation developed a “Centurion Edition” T210, which is a remanufactured aircraft introduced in November 2008 that features a glass cockpit and new engine along with other minor refinements. Want to share your love it/hate it airplane? I have very fond memories of the 210, but it is a love it/hate it type of airplane – its strengths are unique, and its weaknesses are maddening. The 10 or 12 knot penalty really didn’t hurt as a practical matter and the range was still a bladder-buster. One of the more significant announcements to come from the expo didn't come from aerospace giants Cessna or Cirrus... but from the comparatively diminutive Crownair Companies, a new aviation maintenance and avionics provider in the Southwest United States. I think the Cardinal RG is the best looking plane Cessna ever built. Unfortunately, pipistrel seems only interested in “the latest fad” type of projects including “all electric” and [self-flying] mini-VTOL type airplanes for “trips to the office”. Anyway – who knows. There are a cadre of shops that specialize in 210 parts maintenance (like Rick Cox) as well as a host of sources like Cessna Pilot’s Association and Cessna Pilot’s Society that owners can turn to for questions about the type. Camelia and I bought a 1979 T210N new 4 hours on it we have 5100hrs on it now when we have all ways been the pic since 4 hours. You wrote a complimentary report on the characteristics of the plane, and its clear you have sound experience with it. But I personally know two owners who have suffered gear-up landings caused by its mechanical shortcomings. FMI: www.crownairaviation****, www.aero-tv****, www.youtube****/aerotvnetwork, *******twitter****/AeroNews Yeah, the turbo added some maintenance cost — primarily overhauling every 1000 hours — but the additional climb performance and speed at altitude paid for it. I’ve also seen the Vitatoe P210s and they are really impressive airplanes. What a bloody joke! The earliest 1960-62 systems were overly complex but Cessna kept improving it. John Frank’s book was a keeper too. A Continental engine gives this aircraft its top-notch capabilities. Best plane I have ever owned for all the reasons enumerated in the article. I bought it in 1985 with 1025 hours on it. The Tech Notes section, the forum and technical experts have been invaluable. I miss her. Avidyne Envision Installed on Cessna 210 Photo courtesy of Crownair Aviation Welcome to the internet where balance and fair reporting is not tolerated! With this modification the fuel selector can be left on Both, with only occasional use of separate tank positions for balance. John- your article is well done and on the mark. I also took a demo flight with Larry Vitatoe in his P210 he modified by removing the original TSIO 520 and replacing it with a turbo normalized IO-550 and my conclusion is that the Vitatoe mod turned the P210 into the airplane Cessna wanted it to be. In 2004, I replaced the 210D with a 1967 T210G. The last year it was made. The airplane is “Known Ice”, built-in oxygen, and AC. We hauled our family (3 kids) all over the country at nice speeds and loads. Crownair Unveils Glass Cockpit-Equipped T210 During AOPA Expo 2008 It's getting harder and harder to come up with the scratch for a new airplane these days... especially for those of us hankering for new airplane capabilities like glass panels and other high-tech accoutrements. Whether you have a precise requirement for a specific aircraft, or just a concept with an understanding of your needs, let the Aircraft Sales and Management Team at Crownair Aviation handle the time consuming and sometimes tedious aspects of buying, selling, or managing your valuable asset. These fuel systems had a Left-Right-Off fuel selector (no “Both” setting). never played out, but the speed and payload sure did. Without question, though, the weak point of a Cessna 210 is the landing gear. Fast and efficient, the C210 delivers an excellent ride at an economical price. So when a friend recently asked what I thought of the Cessna 210 Centurion, I hesitated. Japanese anime frequently show retractable gear in spaceships operating in a vacuum because it just looks so darn cool. On the other hand, a “throw parts at it” mentality can quickly turn a minor inspection into a $30,000 event. One thing you failed to mention is service ceiling, a pretty important consideration in the west. In a Cirrus the only thing to do is raise the flaps and enjoy the view. In 1981 I went from flying 747s to the T-210L that I ferried from Omaha to Tel Aviv and then flew internationally around that area for the next two years. I could still put almost 1000 lbs. In the redesigned fuel system the plumbing was simplified and the fuel selector was changed to a Left-Right-Both configuration and a separate fuel shutoff was added. I hate to admit it publicly but I made a good living explaining the workings of Cessna landing gear systems to owners and mechanics. The fuel system is complicated, turbocharged models need a little extra TLC, and some parts are hard to find. Unlike most modern piston singles, though, full fuel didn’t mean empty seats. I felt qualified to offer an opinion since I flew one for about five years in the early 2000s, but I also felt obligated to go beyond cliches. It's completely free, and we will not share your information with anyone. The afternoon of the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2005 my little dog Stanley and…. He computed 6.5g from the 3.8g design limit load, the 1.5 (50%) safety factor required by the FAA and an additional factor of 1.15 (15%) because of the quality materials used by Cessna. Mr. Zimmerman’s article is quite poorly researched as he doesn’t cover all the facts and advantages of owning a 210. It’s called the “Centurion Edition T210.” For $365,000, Crownair will overhaul your old T210 and spiff it up with a new engine and avionics. That normally aspirated 210D had a service ceiling of 21,000, and I found it could get there even with significant icing. Ever since, he has been hooked on anything with wings and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12 and a Robinson R44 helicopter. [7] Excellent! Email your article to editor@airfactsjournal.com. High on the list of reasons to hate the airplane is maintenance. The 210 is not nearly as fun and satisfying to fly as the Cardinal, except on those rare (for me) occasions when 5 or six people want to go, then there is nothing better. In fact, I’ve always thought the 210 is Cessna’s best looking single-engine airplane. Fad is for sure about the electric Pipistrel. I bought the Cardinal for my recreational plane, and leased the 210 to the Civil Air Patrol. It was absolutely THE perfect machine for our needs at that time and in that place! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! I’ve loved the other Cessnas I’ve owned and flown and they did a fine job. The Centurion was in production from 1957 to 1985 and approximately 9,240 were manufactured. Nice job!! Crownair Companies, located at San Diego’s Montgomery Field, is showing off its newest STC’d modification of a Cessna Turbo 210. I have bought and sold several 210S from 60 models up but always kept the 79 T210N fantastic airplane just haven’t found anything better. Avidyne STC For Cessna 210 Through its partnership with Southern Star Avionics of Mobile, Ala., and Crownair Aviation of San Diego, Calif., Avidyne has received an STC for the retrofit installation of the Entegra integrated flight deck in Cessna 210 and T210. I invested stupid amounts of money on my 210 installing a glass panel, storm scope (took the radar off), engine analyzer, and interior, with overhauls of the engine and Q tip prop. I can’t think of another airplane that would deliver as much for the price. I felt qualified to offer an opinion since I flew one for about five years in the early 2000s, but I also felt obligated to go beyond cliches. The Cirrus is either the future of general aviation (again, owners) or a death trap (many of the same internet experts). I used my 1966 C-210 (no turbo) flying check from 1977 to 1983 at nearly 100 hours a month. Owned two C210s – a 1982 N model which had pretty much gotten rid of all the “gottchas”, and then the ultimate 210 – the Silver Eagle. Smart Girl Scouts smoking the rest of the competition! Air Facts was first published in 1938 by Leighton Collins and relaunched in 2011 as an online journal by Richard Collins and Sporty's Pilot Shop. Those were the days my friend! The Crownair "Centurion Edition" T210 will compete with new manufactured aircraft by offering more payload, faster speeds and more range. I forgot the manifold pressure and RPMs dad told me to use for cruise, but it consistently gave 150 knots. What started out as a bump-nosed airplane with strut-braced wings evolved into a sleek cross-country traveler. Checklist use and currency are an important part of successful 210 operations. I owned two 210s, flew them for over 30 years and 5000 hours. Coming into Washington, I kept the power up until three-mile final, then dropped the gear and ten degrees of flaps. Gear was made much more simple and reliable in 79. Passengers seemed to enjoy the 210 as well. Our EAA Chapter provided Young Eagle rides all afternoon in that day with a lot of folks at…, Great story and sounds much like my own: Started lessons summer of 1972. Dear John, The Cessna Centurion 210 is a performance airplane. It brought me great satisfaction to be flying such a sophisticated plane with my mother having faith in me. Earlier models had a (probably undeserved) reputation for vapor lock. It's getting harder and harder to come up with the scratch for a new airplane these days... especially for those of us hankering for new airplane capabilities like glass panels and other high-tech accoutrements. Startling Before and After South Korean Plastic Surgery Pictures. Way back before my 210 days we had a 1966 Cherokee 6 and that’s the only single I know of that could carry a bigger load than our 210’s. Had a ’78 T210 which I sold a few years back and still miss it everyday. The 210 would never be mistaken for a sports car-like Bonanza, but it stays right where you put it, making it excellent for instrument flying. SE-GMD Typ: Cessna F172M Skyhawk c/n: F172-1430 Tillverkad år 1975 i Reims, Frankrike Interimregistrering 1976-01 Crownair Flygtjänst AB Swedair, Bromma Registrerad 1976-03-11 Crownair Flygtjänst AB Swedair, Bromma 1976-06 Stockholms Flygklubb, Bromma In 1979 gross wt was raised to 4000 from 3800 lbs and no gear doors. The package is aimed at breathing new life into the popular, though aging, fleet of Cessna 210s. Yes it can be expensive to maintain, however, please show me a 6 seat, complex aircraft that isn’t. Aircraft ownership is a substantial and important investment. I thought I wrote a fairly positive article about an airplane I love. I loved both. I have a T210N, 1983 version. My comment is directed to these assholes that have posted negative comments that are totally inaccurate. The drag was actually increased during the complex retraction process before it reached the gear up less drag configuration. 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Cardinal had a ( probably undeserved ) reputation for vapor lock resulted in a sandy river bottom, which carry... Can likely sustain a 6.5g load before it reached the gear work on the Cardinal for my recreational,... Into Utah and Montana approximately two to three months, are all about and! Over its 27-year run stories about maintenance, without which things can really... Yes it can be frustrating with a new wing marvelous airplane that would sell Cessna brought back happy... Io-550P engine with an IO-520 turbocharger with dual intercoolers and a larger alternator incident... Who misses a minor inspection into a $ 10K broken o-ring that took 4 years to finally.. Departing Leadville. d say they ’ ll never know, because took.