In 1986, aircraft modification veterans Myron Olson and Richard Newell formed O&N Aircraft, specializing in modifying existing planes and taking them to the next level of performance. Located at Seamans Airport in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, the company has since grown to 30 employees and offers a wide range of products, including fuel tanks, fuel indicators, air conditioning, radios, and general maintenance. They are also widely known as “Cessna 210 specialists” in the light aircraft industry.

While most of their work comes in the form of modifying fuel tanks, their pride and joy is the Silver Eagle, a heavily modified Cessna P210. Once completed, the Silver Eagle is essentially a brand new plane. The highlight of this modification is the removal of the standard Continental piston engine, which is replace with a Rolls Royce Turbine. This new engine is not only lighter, it also increases performance dramatically. After takeoff, the Silver Eagle quickly climbs at a rate of 2100 feet per minute; a vast improvement over the standard P210’s 500 feet per minute. The turbine engine also increases top speed to over 20 knots. In addition, the new engine is more reliable and safer, approaching safety levels offered by twin engine aircraft.

But the new engine isn’t the only improvement. Larger fuel tanks significantly increase maximum flight distance. Because the new engine is lighter than the old, payload capabilities are also increased. A new instrument panel and a lavish, custom interior round out the major modifications.

Beyond performance benefits, the Silver Eagle is truly a special aircraft. For starters, it is pressurized. While not uncommon as a whole, it is relatively uncommon for a single engine craft. It is especially uncommon for a single engine turbine. There are very few of these planes around, and the few that do exist tend to be extremely expensive. The Silver Eagle conversion costs about $600,000, of which $350,000 is for the new engine alone. And while some may be getting sticker shock about now, this is really a small price to pay for the product.

Like many aircraft, composites are an ideal fabrication medium due to their light weight and high strength. The Silver Eagle is no exception. Because of the size difference of the turbine engine, a new cowling must be built to properly house it. This new cowling is significantly longer and more streamlined. O&N uses 10 oz. fiberglass as the primary reinforcement, as it is high strength but still very workable. Because the cowling doesn’t have any major complex curves, this fabric is ideal for the application. In tandem with vinyl ester resin and finished off with white gel coat, composites comprise a significant part of the conversion process. The fabrication process is done the old fashioned way, completely by hand lay-up out of a mold. The part is then body-filled and sanded smooth before being sent to the painters. The main man behind this operation is Gordon Kaiser, affectionately referred to as “Bondo.” Fiberglass is also used elsewhere on the craft, most notably the engine inlet and additional external modifications.

The complete Silver Eagle conversion takes about 3 ½ months. O&N usually complete about 8 per year and are working on 2 or 3 at any given time. Typically, 1 craft is in tear down, 1 is in construction, and the other is ready to paint. The Silver Eagle is now in its 11th year of production since receiving FAA approval in 1992. The concept was devised in 1989 and was subjected to rigorous testing before final approval was received. Since then, 65 Silver Eagles have been produced and more are in the works. The aircraft has been overwhelmingly successful and has been featured in several aircraft magazines including Plane and Pilot, Private Pilot, and Pilot Journal.

The future continues to look bright for O&N Aircraft. Beyond their fuel products and the Silver Eagle, they are investigating an up-and-coming glass cockpit installation by Chelton Systems that’s receiving a lot of attention on the aviation world. They are also active in the research and development of new modifications, already racking up 25 FAA approvals for their products. So if you happen to be flying through eastern Pennsylvania and are in the mood for a little more power, stop by O&N and make the most of your single engine aircraft.