Cessna 210 Centurion
Cessna · United States · first flew 1957 · light aircraft
The Cessna 210 Centurion is a high-wing, single-engine retractable-gear six-seater, distinguishable from the 172 and 182 by its cantilever wing (no strut), retractable undercarriage, and deeper six-seat fuselage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Six-seat cabin — two more seats than the four-seat 182; the fuselage is noticeably deeper and longer |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage without wing-root struts — the 182 Skylane has fixed gear and prominent lift struts; the 210 shows a clean underside with no struts
- Six-seat cabin — two more seats than the four-seat 182; the fuselage is noticeably deeper and longer
- High-wing cantilever layout with no wing strut, unlike the 172 and 182 which use a single lift strut per side
High-wing cantilever (no strut) immediately separates it from 172 and 182; retractable gear distinguishes it from the strut-braced 182 Skylane; the 210's deeper fuselage and six-seat interior are apparent at close range. Compared to the Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six, the 210 has a high wing versus PA-32's low wing.
Specifications
- The Cessna 210 Centurion has a length of 8.59 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.2 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 5 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Cessna first flew the 210 in January 1957 as a retractable-gear version of the 182, entering production in 1960. The strut-braced wing of the original 210 gave way to the cantilevered wing in 1967 on the 210G, transforming its appearance. Production ran until 1985 with over 9,000 built; it remains popular for charter and private touring.
Variants
The Turbo 210 (T210) adds a turbocharged Continental engine for high-altitude cruise above 20,000 ft; the P210 (pressurised) offers a pressurised cabin for flight in the flight levels. The 210N and 210R are the most numerous later marks.
Where you'll see it
A number of UK-registered 210s operate from private strips as personal transport aircraft; the type is also used in the Scottish Highlands and Islands for air taxi work given its six-seat capacity and IFR certification.
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