The Cessna 210 Centurion is a light, single-engine, six-seat aircraft that was manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company between the years of 1957 and 1986. It was designed to be a more powerful and improved version of the Cessna 182, which had been in production since 1952. The 210 was designed to offer an even longer range and higher useful load capability than the 182. It is considered to be the first of the “modern” light aircraft, and featured improvements such as a more powerful engine, an aerodynamically efficient fuselage, and retractable landing gear.

Cessna designed the 210 as a response to customer demand for greater performance and range than their 182 model could provide. The 210 was the first aircraft to offer a turbo-normalized engine option, which allowed the aircraft to cruise at higher altitudes and speeds. This was a first for a light aircraft and allowed the Cessna 210 to outperform competing models from other manufacturers.

The Cessna 210 is still a very common aircraft today, with over 6,000 still being flown around the world. It is popular for its versatility, with many pilots using it for recreational flying, business trips, or for flight training.

Over the years, the Cessna 210 has had some issues with safety, most notably involving its landing gear. The 210 was designed with an unusual combination of a fully retractable main gear and a fixed tailwheel. This caused some handling problems, leading to a number of accidents. The aircraft was eventually redesigned with an improved landing gear system, which addressed the issue and improved the aircraft’s safety.

The Cessna 210 has a number of innovative features, including a pressurized cabin, which allowed the aircraft to fly at higher altitudes than unpressurized aircraft. It was also the first aircraft to offer a digital autopilot system, which allowed for more accurate navigation and instrument flying. This system is still in use today, and has been adopted by many other aircraft.

The Cessna 210 was also one of the first aircraft to offer an integrated avionics system, which included a GPS receiver, altitude encoder, and a digital flight instrument system. This system allowed for more accurate navigation and instrument flying, as well as improved safety.

The Cessna 210 is a unique aircraft that offers a combination of performance, range, and safety that can’t be found in other light aircraft. It is an important part of aviation history, and is still a popular aircraft today.