The Cessna 210 Centurion is a single-engine six-seater light touring and utility aircraft with retractable landing gear produced by the American manufacturer Cessna Aircraft. The Cessna 210 Centurion is able to land on short, rough dirt strips, and is the ideal aircraft for safari tourism.
One of the strongest attributes of the Cessna 210 is speed. The Cessna 210 Centurion is one of the fastest single engine general aviation aircraft ever built. With some of the later model years having cruising speeds over 350 km/h (220 mph), this aircraft is not only a fast single engine aircraft, it will outrun many light twin aircraft. The Cessna 210 also has a range of nearly 2,000 kilometres (over 1200 miles) on its standard fuel tanks. The longer sector distances in Namibia necessitate a faster aircraft, and the higher cruise speed of the Cessna 210 enables the aircraft to reach the far corners of Namibia in only a few short hours.
The Cessna 210 Centurion is also able to carry quite a heavy load (just over 700 kilograms) and the plane can transport a pilot and up to 5 passengers with a reasonable amount of luggage. The high wing configuration of the aircraft also allows all passengers the best possible view of the scenery passing by below. These factors all make the Cessna 210 Centurion one of the most popular aircraft for safari tour companies in Africa and is an economical means for transporting tour parties to the remote regions of Namibia.
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: 5 passengers
- Length: 8.59 m (28.2 ft)
- Wingspan: 11.15 m (36.6 ft)
- Height: 2.95 m (9.7 ft)
- Empty weight: 1 015 kg (2 238 lbs)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1 724 kg (3 800 lbs)
- Propulsion: 1 Piston Engine
- Engine Power: 224 Kw (300 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 363 km/h (226 mph)
- Cruise speed: 306 km/h (190 mph)
- Range: 1 972 km (1 226 mi.)
- Service ceiling: 5 273 m (17 300 ft)