Cessna · 1970–1972
Cessna T210K/L Turbo Centurion II (1970-1972)
iSpecifications
Cruise
200KTAS
Range
900nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
1490lbs
Full-fuel payload
950lbs
Fuel Burn
17.5gph
Fuel Cap.
90gal
MPG
13.2mpg
Stall (Vs0)
57KIAS
T/O roll
1200ft
Ldg roll
765ft
Power
285hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$135k
Range
$110k – $175k
Annual all-in
~$26k/yr
All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.
Cost to own — estimate
Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.
- Fuel (17.5 gph)
- $11,375
- Engine reserve (toward overhaul)
- $3,571
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $11,054
- Total per year
- $26,000
- Per flight hour
- $260
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 23,016 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.13/mi
Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.
Strengths
- First 210 achieving true 200 KTAS cruise at flight levels with full load
- 900 NM range at FL180 enables genuine transcontinental capability
- Automatic wastegate reduces pilot workload vs. earlier TSIO-520-C
- 1,490 lb useful load supports 4 adults + fuel for long cross-country
Weaknesses
- Turbocharger replacement ($5k–$10k) is dominant valuation risk
- CHT management critical; excursions above 380°F rapidly shorten cylinder life
- High-temperature exhaust prone to cracking and weld failure
- Requires engine monitor for real-time CHT/EGT data; older aircraft may lack it
Overview
The 1970 Cessna T210K introduced the turbocharged Centurion II -- combining the 3,800 lb gross weight, 6-seat cabin, and 90-gallon fuel of the 210K with a Continental TSIO-520-H turbocharged engine producing 285 HP to 16,000-18,000 ft. The T210L (1971-1972) carried the same engine forward in the refined airframe. Approximately 600 examples were produced across the three-year run.
The T210K/L is the first 210 capable of true 200 KTAS cruise at flight levels with four adults aboard. With 1,490 lb useful load and 90 gallons of fuel, the airplane can fly 900 NM at FL180 in under 5 hours -- routinely transcontinental capability in a single-engine piston.
The TSIO-520-H
The TSIO-520-H is a 520 cubic inch, six-cylinder, fuel-injected, turbocharged Continental engine producing 285 HP at 2,700 RPM. The turbocharger is a Garrett unit with an automatic wastegate (an improvement over the manual wastegate on earlier TSIO-520-C engines). TBO 1,400 hours.
The -H variant is widely considered an improvement over the -C:
- Automatic wastegate (vs manual on -C) reduces pilot workload
- Improved oil cooling
- Better cylinder cooling baffling
- More reliable fuel-injection metering
That said, the TSIO-520-H still requires careful cylinder management. CHTs above 380°F shorten cylinder life rapidly. Most T210K/L aircraft now have aftermarket engine monitors (JPI, EI) installed for real-time CHT/EGT data.
Variants & History
| Feature | T210G-J (1967-1969) | T210K-L (1970-1972) | 210K-L (NA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | TSIO-520-C | TSIO-520-H | IO-520-L |
| Max gross | 3,400 lbs | 3,800 lbs (+400) | 3,800 lbs |
| Useful load | ~1,220 lbs | ~1,490 lbs (+270) | ~1,560 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 65 gal | 90 gal (+25) | 90 gal |
| Cruise (FL180) | 195 KTAS | 200 KTAS (+5) | N/A (NA loses power) |
| Range at FL180 | 800 NM | 900 NM | N/A |
| Service ceiling | 27,000 ft | 27,000 ft | 17,300 ft |
| Field overhaul | $45,000-$58,000 | $45,000-$60,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
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Performance
200 KTAS cruise at FL180 (75% power), 1,010 FPM sea-level climb, 17.5 GPH at max cruise. Service ceiling 27,000 ft (most pilots operate FL170-200 due to oxygen and pilot workload).
Real-world cross-country: Two adults + bags + 90 gallons at FL180 yields 950+ NM range with 45-min reserves. Four adults + 60 gallons at FL180 yields 650 NM range -- typical for business legs of 4-5 hours.
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Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / mid-time turbo | $85,000-$110,000 |
| Flying but tired | $105,000-$135,000 |
| Well-maintained | $130,000-$165,000 |
| Recent SMOH / fresh turbo | $155,000-$195,000 |
T210K/L trade $20,000-$30,000 above equivalent NA 210K/L due to turbo capability. Turbo condition is the dominant valuation factor.
ADs & Common Problems
210 universal concerns apply. T210K/L-specific:
- Turbocharger condition: Inspect for shaft play, oil seepage, blade damage. Turbo replacement: $5,000-$10,000.
- Wastegate operation: Automatic wastegate must operate smoothly through full power range. Wastegate overhaul: $1,500-$3,000.
- Cylinder CHT history: Review engine monitor data for CHT excursions. Recurring high CHTs suggest cylinder problems ahead.
- Exhaust system condition: Turbo exhausts run hot and crack. Inspect for cracks, weeping, weld failures.
- Gear pump and hydraulic system: Same engine-driven/electric pump transition as NA K/L; verify which is installed.
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