550 Centurion "De-Turbo"
The new STC is Atlantic Aero's answer to requests received from many T210 owners for relief from the high maintenance costs, low TBOs, and less-than-desired reliability of their turbocharged engines. The 550 Centurion "De-Turbo" offers T210 owners reduced operating costs in a number of ways. TBO is increased from 1,400 hours (1,600 hours for the most recent TSIO-520s) to 1,700 hours, and normally-aspirated engines generally have a better reputation for actually reaching TBO than their turbocharged cousins. When TBO time eventually does roll around, engine replacement/overhaul costs should be lower. Turbocharger maintenance and overhauls are eliminated. Exhaust system maintenance costs are reduced. Costs and owner/pilot anxiety that accompany frequent unscheduled cylinder replacements fade from the picture. Fuel consumption is improved at lower altitudes.
More good news for owners of newer T210s with the higher 4,000 pound gross weight: The 550 Centurion "De-Turbo" retains 4,000-pound maximum gross weight, and useful load for all T210s after conversion is increased by the weight of the now-missing turbocharger and related plumbing.
T210 owners who have discovered they really don't make that many hot-day takeoffs from high altitude airports and are ready to give up their oxygen masks will find that the 550 Centurion "De-Turbo" offers several important advantages over a standard IO-520 Cessna 210. The altitude compensating fuel pump automatically leans the mixture for operations at all airports, regardless of altitude. This makes it easy to take better care of the engine and also improves safety by reducing pilot workload in high density flight regimes. The increased displacement of the IO-550 engine enables it to deliver rated horsepower at lower rpm and higher altitudes than the normally-aspirated IO-520. And for those who still want to get there quickly (and what 210 owner doesn't?), the 550 Centurion "De-Turbo" offers a respectable cruise true airspeed of 175 knots up to 12,000 feet.