Quantcast

Cessna's legacy: Understanding the evolution of the Pressurized Centurion

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Cessna's legacy: Understanding the evolution of the Pressurized Centurion
Policy
Webp iy1i7qwocvuspdub382rez39haa6
Sumit Singh Editorial Lead | Simple Flying

The Cessna P210, a pressurized version of the Cessna 210, was produced from 1978 to 1986, offering improved comfort and performance at higher altitudes. The P210 was designed to meet the demand for high-performance, single-engine aircraft capable of flying at higher altitudes with cabin pressurization. The Cessna P210 provided a combination of comfort, performance, and reliability, making it a popular choice among pilots who needed to fly at higher altitudes and in various weather conditions.

The Cessna P210, also known as the Pressurized Centurion, was produced from 1978 to 1986. This model was a pressurized version of the popular Cessna 210, designed to offer improved comfort and performance at higher altitudes. The standard non-pressurized Cessna 210—an upgrade from the Cessna 182—had a substantial production run from 1957 to 1986. The P210 was introduced for the 1978 model year and continued production until Cessna retired the model 210 type in 1986. During this period, 873 P210 aircraft were produced, with the P210R variant being the rarest and most advanced but only produced during 1985 and 1986.

Cessna designed and built the P210 to meet the demand for high-performance, single-engine aircraft capable of flying at higher altitudes with cabin pressurization. Consequently, P210 pilots and their passengers would typically fly at FL230 instead of the 8-12,000-foot altitude common to unpressurized models.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

General aviation buyers were impressed with the airplane and were buying it in large numbers; so why a pressurized variant? The short answer is market share. By 1978, Cessna was manufacturing every type of general aviation aircraft. If there were a market niche for a fast, high-performance, pressurized single-engine airplane, Cessna would feel compelled to fill it.

The P210 enabled high-altitude flight for more comfortable and less fatiguing flights. This feature reduces the need for supplemental oxygen and allows flight above weather and turbulence. It utilized a well-proven engine/turbocharger system making it reliable for pilots needing to maintain schedules and fly in IFR weather conditions.

There was growing interest in pressurized single-engine aircraft during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The introduction in 1984 of the Piper Malibu pushed Cessna to enhance the P210's capabilities to remain competitive. This led to progressively more powerful engines, improved aerodynamics, and increased fuel capacity.

Overall, the Cessna P210 offered a combination of comfort, performance, and reliability. In all, 9,240 Cessna 210 aircraft were built during its production run. Richard Collins said: “The 210 was simply an airframe that was adaptable to a lot of different things.”

Original prices ranged from around $30,000 for early models to over $200,000 for later variants. Current used prices vary widely based on condition and model.

Owners have mixed feelings about their aircraft due to cockpit control complexity and maintenance issues involving various systems. However, they appreciate its speed capability above bad weather with superb visibility due to its high cantilever wing design.

Modern single-engine aircraft easily eclipse its performance capabilities but come at significantly higher prices.

The Cessna P210 remains as a vestige of boom times in general aviation when manufacturers produced an airplane for every budget and purpose.

___

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025