Atlantic Aero and sister company Aero Modifications and Consulting have won US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification for the conversion of turbocharged Cessna 210s to the normally aspirated Teledyne Continental IO-550-P engine.
The modification, applicable to aircraft built between 1970 and 1984, adds the 550TI (tuned induction) system upgrade, which Atlantic claims provides up to a 43% increase in time between overhauls, as well as significant performance improvements. Dubbed the 'de-turbocharged' conversion, the 550TI modification increases initial climb rate from 4.72m/s (930ft/min) to 6.67m/s reducing time to climb to 10,000ft by 2min to 9min.
The conversion includes replacing the original propeller with a Hartzell Scimitar unit, as well as reducing the size of the air inlet openings. The smaller cowl flaps and inlets cut drag and overall weight by 35kg (75lb), while cruise speed increases from 310km/h (168kt) to 330km/h. Price for the conversion, complete with propeller exchange, is $55,227.
Source: Flight International