Cessna · 1977–1986
Cessna T210M/N Turbo Centurion II (1977-1986)
iSpecifications
Cruise
205KTAS
Range
950nm
Seats
6
Useful Load
1600lbs
Full-fuel payload
1,060lbs
Fuel Burn
17.5gph
Fuel Cap.
90gal
MPG
13.5mpg
Stall (Vs0)
57KIAS
T/O roll
1170ft
Ldg roll
765ft
Power
310hp
Engine
piston single
Gear
Retractable
IFR
Yes
Category
certified
Pricing
Typical
$195k
Range
$140k – $280k
Annual all-in
~$28k/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)
- $3,929
- Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions)
- $12,696
- Total per year
- $28,000
- Per flight hour
- $280
- Miles flown / year (at cruise)
- 23,591 mi
- Cost per mile
- $1.19/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
- 310 HP turbocharged engine with 205 KTAS cruise at FL200—best-in-class piston single capability
- T210N's 4,000 lb gross weight yields ~1,600 lb useful load—highest Cessna single-engine rating
- Electric gear system (vs. early engine-driven) reduces pilot workload and improves reliability
- 27,000 ft service ceiling enables consistent high-altitude performance for cross-country missions
Weaknesses
- TSIO-520-R cylinders run hot under load; CHT management and borescope inspection essential before purchase
- Turbocharger and intercooler maintenance costly ($5,000–$12,000+ per major component)
- Airframe now 40–49 years old; Cessna SID compliance and turbo-specific AD checks add pre-buy cost
- 1977–1978 models (T210M and early T210N) retain main gear doors—higher drag and maintenance vs. 1979+ doorless versions
Overview
The 1977-1986 Cessna T210M and T210N are the pinnacle of normally-aspirated-airframe Centurion development: 310 HP turbocharged engines, 4,000 lb max gross weight (T210N), 200+ KTAS cruise at FL200, and the refined electric-motor gear system. The T210M (1977) launched alongside the NA 210M after the production hiatus; the T210N (1978-1986) refined the design and -- like the NA 210N -- benefited from the 1979 gear door deletion.
Approximately 1,500 examples were produced (T210M ~150 in 1977, T210N ~1,350 across 1978-1986). The T210N is arguably the most capable piston single ever produced by Cessna -- comparable in mission capability to the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza and Mooney M20K, with significantly higher useful load than either.
The TSIO-520-R: 310 HP
The 1977 transition to the TSIO-520-R brought a 25 HP increase (285 → 310) -- significant for a turbocharged airplane already operating at high power settings. Key TSIO-520-R features:
- Increased displacement breathing (matched intake/exhaust port flow)
- Improved turbocharger map (better high-altitude wastegate response)
- Refined fuel-injection metering (smoother high-altitude operation)
- Enhanced cylinder cooling baffling
TBO 1,400 hours. Field overhaul: $50,000-$65,000 (includes turbocharger overhaul). Cylinder management remains critical -- CHTs above 380°F shorten cylinder life rapidly.
The 4,000 lb Gross Weight (T210N)
In 1978, Cessna increased the T210N max gross to 4,000 lbs (+200 lb over T210M). This was driven by:
- Increased turbo airframe stress margin
- Strengthened wing-to-fuselage carry-through
- Heavier landing gear (already required for turbo)
The 4,000 lb gross gives the T210N the highest useful load of any piston single Cessna ever certified (excluding the C337 Skymaster). At ~1,600 lb useful load, the T210N can carry six adults + bags + 4 hours fuel at FL180 -- a capability that approaches light-twin territory.
Variants & History
| Feature | T210K-L (1970-1972) | T210M (1977) | T210N (1978-1986) | 210M-N (NA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | TSIO-520-H 285 HP | TSIO-520-R 310 HP (+25) | TSIO-520-R 310 HP | IO-520-L 285 HP |
| Max gross | 3,800 lbs | 3,800 lbs | 4,000 lbs (+200) in T210N | 3,800 lbs |
| Useful load | ~1,490 lbs | ~1,500 lbs | ~1,600 lbs | ~1,497 lbs |
| Cruise (FL200) | 200 KTAS | 205 KTAS | 205 KTAS | N/A (NA loses power) |
| Range at FL200 | 900 NM | 950 NM | 950 NM | N/A |
| Service ceiling | 27,000 ft | 27,000 ft | 27,000 ft | 17,300 ft |
| Gear system | Engine-driven (early) | Electric motor (new) | Electric motor | Electric motor |
| Main gear doors | Present | Present | Deleted 1979+ | Deleted 1979+ |
| Field overhaul | $45,000-$60,000 | $50,000-$65,000 | $50,000-$65,000 | $38,000-$48,000 |
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Performance
205 KTAS cruise at FL200 (75% power), 1,030 FPM sea-level climb, 17.5 GPH at max cruise. Service ceiling 27,000 ft.
Real-world cross-country:
- Two adults + 90 gal fuel at FL200: 1,000+ NM range with 45-min reserves
- Four adults + 60 gal fuel at FL180: 700 NM range -- typical business legs
- Six adults + 45 gal fuel at FL160: 500 NM range -- family travel within W&B
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Valuation Factors
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Project / mid-time turbo | $115,000-$150,000 |
| Flying but tired (T210M / pre-1979 T210N) | $145,000-$190,000 |
| Well-maintained T210M / pre-1979 T210N | $185,000-$240,000 |
| Well-maintained T210N (1979+ doorless) | $205,000-$265,000 |
| Restored / upgraded (intercooler + GTN + GFC 600) | $250,000-$320,000 |
T210M/N pricing trades $40,000-$70,000 above equivalent NA 210M/N due to turbo capability + 310 HP + (T210N) 200 lb additional gross. Late T210Ns (1984-1986) trade highest due to "last production" status.
ADs & Common Problems
210 universal concerns apply. T210M/N-specific:
- TSIO-520-R cylinder condition: 310 HP turbo cylinders are stressed; borescope inspection of all six cylinders essential. Recurring CHT excursions = cylinder failure ahead.
- Turbocharger condition: Inspect for shaft play, oil seepage, blade damage. Turbo replacement: $5,000-$10,000.
- Intercooler installation: Many T210s have aftermarket Tornado Alley intercoolers ($8,000-$12,000 install). Verify presence and condition -- the intercooler significantly extends turbo life.
- Wastegate operation: Automatic wastegate must operate smoothly. Wastegate overhaul: $1,500-$3,000.
- Cessna SIDs: 1977-1986 airframes are 40-49 years old; SID compliance + turbo-specific inspections increase pre-buy cost.
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