Photograph:
O & N Aircraft P-210 Silver Eagle VH-XXU (c/n P210-00381) at Wedderburn, NSW in August 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
One 336 kw (450 shp) Rolls Royce (Allison) 250-B17F/2 turboprop
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
- Length: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.93 m (9 ft 7½ in
- Wing area: 16.35 m² (176 sq ft)
- Cruising speed: 398 km/h (247 mph)
- Max altitude: 7,010 m (23,000 ft)
- Rate of climb at gross weight: 671 m/min (2,200 ft/min)
- Range: 1,908 km (1,186 miles)
- Take-off run: 183 m (600 ft)
- Landing roll: 152 m (500 ft)
- Empty weight: 1,120 kg (2,470 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,822 kg (4,016 lb)
History:
O & N Aircraft Modifications of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, has in recent years been involved in the conversion of aircraft to turbine power, and one of these has been the Silver Eagle, a conversion of the Cessna 210 series. This model is produced in two models, the Silver Eagle using pressurised Cessna 210s, and the Silver Eagle II using the non-pressurised variants. The extra 45 per cent of power reduces take-off distance by a half, reduces the landing roll to 152 m (500 ft), climbs to cruising altitude in 8 to 10 minutes, and provides a cruising speed of 215 knots (398 km/h – 247 mph) at 7,010 m (23,000 ft).
Payload is increased by 63 kg (140 lb) after taking consideration of the higher jet-fuel weight and other systems. The aircraft is fitted with a new flight deck, a customised all-metal instrument panel and a cluster of turbine gauges in addition to standard avionics and systems. A 60 litre (13 Imp gals) auxiliary fuel tank is added as standard in the baggage area, extending useable fuel to 397 litres (87 Imp gals).
The aircraft receives structural strengthening, with new engine mounts and cowling, flight control surfaces fitted with strengthening with combinations of additional ribs, heavier fittings, dual trim tab actuators and mass balancing of the rudder and ailerons. A Hartzell propeller of three blades is fitted and is complemented by an optional aircraft de-icing package. The 228 cm (90 in) reversible propeller provides STOL performance and the ability to back into parking areas. The customer’s aircraft receives a total refurbishment during the conversion process. Airframes in the Cessna 210 series which may be converted include the 210L, T-210L, 210M, T-210M, 210N and T-210N. Examples of the Cessna 340 series have also been converted.
The first example registered in Australia was a P-210N Silver Eagle I VH-XXU (c/n P210-00381) based in Sydney, NSW this aircraft being fitted in mid-2012 with a five-blade propeller. It was based for a period at Wedderburn in Sydney, and Airlie Beach, QLD. It was followed by a T-210N Silver Eagle VH-YLS based at Tyabb in Victoria.
An American registered aircraft (N526CH – c/n P210-00662) visited Australia and New Zealand in September 2013, this aircraft being operated by the Chief Financial Officer for the Co-Operative Group. Another (N6593W – c/n P210-00801) of Southern Aircraft Consultancy also visited Australia and New Guinea in September 2013.