When we're not in the air, we're here helping others how to join us here at Aviator Insider. Cessna was moving aggressively into the business market, and the 310 was a key part, and first element, of that plan. A long-range airplane has six tanks and 10 fuel pumps. The 310B in 1958 brought a 100-pound boost in gross weight. Sort By: . Installation requires approximately 25 man hours; dimensions 29" 17.5" 9". Costs have been going up, but that speaks more of trends in general aviation economics. All too often, the pilots or mechanics doing the prepurchase are simply not qualified, being unfamiliar with the details of the 310s systems and maintenance requirements. The Model 310Q and its turbocharged version, the T310Q, redesigned the cabins rear to include a new window design. Designed for aisle fit in cabin class aircraft, bottom outlet will work with cabin pressure without transfer pump in most installations. The first step is to know which bladder your aircraft uses. The Hartzell three-blade propellers have also been commonly installed in regular Cessna 310 units without further engine modifications. The excess is pumped back to the mains and overboard if there isnt room. If you need to get above weather or take advantage of winds at altitude, this plane still climbs well at 18- to 20000 feet, while the normally aspirated 310 runs out of steam at about 10- to 12000. Parts availability has never been a problem. More weight in later models about makes up for the extra power: A 260-hp-a-side Q model turns in 186 knots (71 percent at 7,500 feet, on 26.5 gph) and climbs at 1,495 fpm; not bad considering the Q's 600-pound higher maximum gross weight. We also sat down with a warm stack of service difficulty reports and discovered that the 310's gear system is, quite literally, its Achilles' heel. This includes both liability and hull coverage. 1975 Cessna T-310R airplane for sale located in Orlando, Florida. the new twin were backed up by innovative features such as engine exhaust thrust augmenter tubes and the storage of all fuel in tip tanks in early models. Produced until 1980 and still extremely popular today, the features that made it a great business aircraft in 1954 also upheld it in the leisure side of general aviation. Wait until you have to manage the tanks. Empty weight is of 2850 lbs, while gross weight sits at 4600 lbs. Not so on the 310. An additional cabin window was introduced with the Model 310F. Another significant change came with the 1964 I model: The overwing augmenter tubes gave way to conventional exhaust plumbing. Other miscellaneous problems: magnesium seat back brackets that fail (this has resulted in some accidents), and periodic inspection requirements on the 100-amp Prestolite alternators on 310s with deice equipment. Steve Ells has been an A&P/IA for 39 years and is a commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Lineperson: Yes, sir, whereupon the auxiliaries get filled to the brim. 1976 Cessna 182P in very good condition located in Southern California presently at KAJO Corona, CA Airport. Maintenance concerns and the inexorable march of time these first 310s are 40 years old now, after all can make the purchase of the 1950s and 1960s models chancy. So, Cessna provided continuous-duty fuel pumps that move fuel from the front to the back of the tank. As for advice, I strongly recommend membership in the Twin Cessna Flyer organization. I was pleased to observe about 8 to 10 knots increased speed at comparable power settings, a greater rate of climb, and stabilized oil consumption of about 1 quart per 20 hours. The next significant change was in 1962, with the 310G. Pilots report that real-world operations arent as good as these numbers would have you believe. Cabin size was increased, along with gross weight. The nose was extended a little starting with the 310K, which helps spread the load. First and foremost is the gear, which is relatively delicate and sensitive to proper rigging and maintenance. For more than five decades, active and dedicated aircraft owners and pilots have turned to AVIATION CONSUMER to answer their most important buying questions. Total usable fuel capacity can be 100, 132, 142, 183 or 203 gallonsfrom 600 to 1218 pounds of fuel. The tip tanks are made from aluminum and contain two pumps, auxiliary and transfer. Its also possible for the pilot to have as much as 30 gallons of fuel that cant be used. Learn more, Cessna Flyer Association1042 N Mountain Ave Suite B #337Upland, CA91786Phone: 626-844-0125, Cessna Flyer Association 2004-2022 All Rights Reserved. The fuel pickup from the mains is at the rear of the tank, which means that it wont get picked up properly during descent. Other recent and notable ADs include: 98-1-8, replacement of two-piece carb venturis with one-piece units; 97-26-17, ultrasonic inspection of the crankshafts with possible replacement; 96-12-22, repetitive inspections of the engine oil filter adapters; and 96-20-7, repetitive inspection of the combustion tubes on the Janitrol cabin heater. First came 20-gallon wing-mounted bladders, followed by an additional 11.5-gallon . Fuel Cells / Bladders; S/N 18253599 & Up; S/N 18253599 & Up. It is a bigger jump from the complex single into the 310 than it is for, say, a pilot moving from a Bonanza to a Baron. Whether the difference is worth it depends on the desired operational profile, which stands true today where the difference in used prices has kept the same proportions. The result is an Belvoir Media Group, LLC. The Cessna 310 is known for its speed, but owners use this ability sparingly due to the high fuel consumption required. LH Main Tank. The flap and engine exhaust configuration makes corrosion a problem which must be monitored continuously and treated when necessary. Depending on the option fitted, this could expand the aircrafts capacity from 102 gallons up to 207 in total. Reliance AeroProducts International is a FAA Certified Repair Station and provider of fuel cell repairs and re-certifications. I bought the airplane for $48000 and if I can believe my insurance agent, it would sell today for around $70000. A new bladder for our sample Cessna 182 was quoted at $850, however their Website catalog listed it at over $1000. But there are things to be careful of when considering a 310. The keys to getting great bladder service life start with the installation. Hartzell three-blade propellers are installed in a counter-rotating configuration to cancel out the torque, improve single-engine safety, and allow for the best performance out of the engines. This opened a niche for the Cessna 310 as an ideal ride for a cross-country lover on a tight acquisition budget. Ive also followed the advice of many to keep the gear properly rigged and lubricated. In the midst of all this, the cabin was enlarged, and the model became a six-seater with the 1963 310H. Cessna part 1200065-1 The airplane has a 28-volt, negative ground, direct current electrical system powered by an alternator on each engine and a 24-volt battery. After checking for the type of bladder in my airplane, I knew it wasnt a candidate for repair, but repair can be an affordable option for some leaking bladders. This lesson ought to be clear: Carefully and thoroughly inspect the gear system on any 310 considered for purchase. Theres a STOL kit available from Sierra Industries, but the cost is so high that its value is questionable. The R models have a zero-fuel weight limitation, i.e. The only real glitch involved sliding the vent tube onto its nipple. At the other end of the airplane, the 310 nose grew, Pinocchio-like, through the decades, making a big leap with the 1975 R model. Production ran from 1954 to 1980, with a total of 5449 Model 310 units produced, plus 577 of the Cessna 320. In 1987 over Delta, Utah a pilot unfamiliar with the fuel system crashed because he thought the mains were in the wings and the auxes at the tips. ATSs Danielle Murphy told us that they try to apply some sort of discount on every sale. tanks will result in about 8 gal. We can make life a lot easier for you if you own a Twin Cessna! One of the earmarks of the line's changes concerns horsepower. All rights reserved. Cabin size was increased, along with gross weight. By the 310I, cubic feet available certainly began to exceed the lifting and weight-and-balance capacity of the airplane. Eagle Fuel Cells notes recommend grounding the airframe to lessen the possibility of generating a static electricity-generated fire. Not only did the 310 start out a strapping young twin, but it lived a long and fruitful life, finally surrendering to old age and declining market share in 1981. And although the system worked, exhaust gases, being quite corrosive, wreaked havoc on the wing structure. This makes hard landings a real possibility, and the gear just cant take that much abuse. Second, is the locker-tank scheme. In the single-engine category, the 310 also performs reasonably well, however few light twins are truly spectacular with one engine inoperative. Answer: The Cessna 310 does have limited cabin heating, but some owners have opted for aftermarket air conditioning, such as the Cool Air freon air conditioner system. The Cessna 310 is not known to be a maintenance hog by most standards. In 1960, Cessna put a swept tail on the airplane, calling it the 310D. Marine Boat Fuel Bladders; Flexible Water Diesel Holding Yacht Tanks; . In 1959, shortly after the types introduction to the market in 1954, Cessna began offering the Model 310C equipped with the uprated IO-470-D engines, featuring fuel injection and with an output of 260 hp. All Cessna Aircraft Cessna 150 | Cessna 152 | Cessna 162 Skycatcher | Cessna 165 Airmaster | Cessna 170 | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | When vents are blocked its not unusual for the floor of the bladder to be pulled up. The 310 makes for a good, stable IFR platform, according to owners, with excellent cruise stability. Instead, locker fuel must be pumped to the corresponding main tank. Owner CommentsI have owned three turbocharged Cessna 310s. Hes a former tech rep and editor for Cessna Pilots Association and served as associate editor for AOPA Pilot until 2008. McCloskey said that some installers tape a pad onto the end of a broomstick or dowel and use it to push the bladder into position in the corners of the tank bay. The last development in the Cessna 310 family came in the shape of the Model 310R and T310R, which added a baggage compartment to the lengthened nose section. The Cessna 310 went through gradual changes in performance throughout its evolutions, but the difference between the early and later versions is stark in terms of payload. Click here to view the Cessna 310 features guide, Click here to view charts for Resale Values, Payload Compared and Prices Compared, Composite Structures: Limits and Advantages. Please login to continue enjoying members-only content. Call us at 1-800 . Crosswind landings are simple due to good aileron and rudder authority. Weight gain from upgrades brought this down to 390 fpm at sea level by the time production ended. note: Mr. Temple sent us one of these packets. One mod that got good reviews from owners are spoilers, which allow pilots to keep the controllers happy with rapid descents without killing the engines in the process. The 310 competed more directly against the Twin Commander 520 (discontinued that same year) and Beech Twin Bonanza, which was dropped a few years later in favor of the Travel Air and 55 Baron. . If there's an aspect of the 310's handling qualities likely to catch a novice pilot out, it is single-engine procedures near the runway. Cessna 310 / Model Prices During its early years, the Model 310 was sold for $59400. On approach, some power has to be carried. Surprisingly, very few people know what zero-fuel weight is. Gross weights eventually reached approximately 5500 pounds. Since I was installing a new bladder I cut one side of each nipple on the old bladder and shot a little bit of LPS-1 into the cut; that helped release the tubing. Buying Format. HistoryThe 310 was introduced in 1954, a year after Pipers PA-23 Apache. Two CDs at a total cost of $10 arrived in a few days. Search more Cessna airplanes on Hangar67. If you hear an inrush of air its a signal that the vent system is blocked. The new FAA certified 900-HP Daher Kodiak 900 turboprop single combines TBM 960 and Kodiak 100 DNA into one airplane. These tanks are bladder-type cells located between the spars in the outboard wing. Because the gear makes the airplane sit up high, new pilots are cautioned to be careful of hard landings. Fuel capacity of 102 gallons Minimum octane fuel of 100 Average fuel burn of 28 gallons in an hour Takeout weight of 4,830 lbs Landing weight of 4,600 lbs The estimated standard weight of 3.125 lbs Estimated maximum load of 1,750 lbs Baggage capacity of 200 lbs The oil capacity of 12 quarts with each engine Cannot exceed the speed of 215 KIAS These tanks are bladder-type cells which supplement the main tank fuel quantity. Alternator Failure (Dual) Flight Instruments. The Cessna 310 is one of the classics of general aviation, enjoying a 27-year production run during which it served as Cessnas answer to the Beech Baron, Piper Aztec, Commander 500, and Aerostar. What started as a five-place twin became a six-placer with 1963's 310H. from the aux. For those readers who are old enough to want to avoid thinking about it, the 310 should look familiar: it was the costar of televisions Sky King adventure series. Dont fly again until the blockage is opened. This is no Skyhawk. Shortly after I purchased my 310, I put on vortex generators, which are a must with this airplane. Whether you are looking for maintenance and inspection tips, overhaul and replacement options, or researching the Cessna flyers are part of the largest general aviation family in the world and have access to massive clubs as a result. This variant also swapped the engines family from the O-470 to the fuel injected version of the Continental O-520 line, producing 285 hp each. Construction - Extra grade fabric used most times best suited for Jet A. The Cessna 310 saw plenty of experimentation in its design. The twin-engine aircraft was fitted with engine exhaust thrust augmenter tubes, and on top of using its now-characteristic tip tanks, the early models stored all fuel in them. The airplane is powered by two horizontally opposed, six cylinder, direct drive, normally aspirated, air cooled, fuel injected engines. Through its 28-year production span, the 310 evolved from a five-seater with pressure-carbureted engines to a high- flying turbocharged six-placer with known-icing certification. That hot, dry climate went a long way in allaying my concerns about corrosion in the airframe. Cessna 310 pilots have instruments displaying fuel flow, quantity, and low-level light. The main purpose-built competitors at the time were the 1953 Piper PA-23 Apache, which was chronically underpowered, and Beechcrafts Twin Bonanza, introduced in 1951 but relatively unsuccessful in the market outside of military applications, which led to it being pulled from the market shortly after. tens of thousands for twins. Single-engine service ceiling is about 7000 to 7500 feet, or 17,000-18,000 for the turbo. Obstruction or Icing of Static Source. The most common mistakes are failure to conduct a prepurchase inspection or evaluation flight. Over the years, Jamie has gained an incredible amount of knowledge and hopes to start his PPL as soon as his degree is finished. They are truly dedicated to spreading information vital to the preservation of the fleet. Also, consider it a bonus if the airplane is fitted with retrofit Cleveland brakes; the original Goodyears are known to be somewhat troublesome and expensive to maintain. So if you have a right-side locker, you will have to draw down the right main by at least 20 gallons to make room for the locker fuel and then crossfeed the left engine to minimize lateral imbalance from those extra 120 pounds now out on the right wing tip. Cessna Models - 210 Models - Fuel Cell/ Bladder - Knots 2U, Ltd. Home Cessna Models 210 Models Fuel Cell/ Bladder Fuel Cell/ Bladder Sort By: sku: EA-1200065-2E Fuel Cell, RH Main Tank. It applies to the 310, 340 and all piston-powered 400 series Cessnas except those with trailing link main gear. The single-engine ceiling, however, grew considerably in the turbocharged versions. The other two U.S. Rubber types arent mentioned. Annuals have averaged $1500-2000, which may seem low-but not unrealistic if you look for an airplane that has been flown and maintained in a consistent manner. As for those moving up through the Cessna line, a 210 pilot will most definitely notice the 310's heavier controls, higher wing loading, and greater approach and landing speeds. For pilots who do not meet this experience threshold, the number goes up from $4980 to $7400. The Barons cabin seating and additional door is a plus that I wish the 310 could match, but six passengers can ride in my 310 much more comfortably than in a Baron or a Seneca with club seating. Operators say the T310s work best in the high teens. When the main reaches capacity from the return fuel, any excess is sent overboard, and you can't cross-feed auxiliary fuel. As the maximum weights increased, the single-engine climb rate decreased; the T310R, at its 5,500-pound maximum, is supposed to ascend at 390 fpm at sea level with one feathered. General opinion of the IO-470 has always been good, and it seems the model has performed quite well in the 310. As far as pre-flights go, the main gear item to keep an eye out for is a bottomed-out nose gear strut: while it will retract normally, it then ends up jammed in the gear well and is unable to be extended from the cockpit. Those big tip tanks were originally designed as a safety feature. The reputation for Dutch roll and yaw problems is, in my opinion, undeserved. A leaking fuel bladder. My advice to 310 buyers: Treat the acquisition process seriously. Membership gets you a newsletter and the right to attend well-worthwhile seminars on operations. For the budget-minded, an early 310 can be a (relatively) inexpensive entry to the world of twin engines. Ells is the owner of Ells Aviation and lives in Paso Robles, Calif. with his wife Audrey. Jamie's partner also works in aviation as a mechanical engineer. While these prices are only listed ones and can be negotiated down, there are also aircraft that exceed the bracket considerably, but not without good reason. Payload in a lightly equipped 310C with auxiliary tanks might exceed 700 pounds, while it could be as low as 400 pounds in a 310R. I have owned a 1968 310N for the past four yeas. According to information on both Eagles and FFCs websites, only the US-943 is a candidate for repair. It is fairly long and spindly, and more delicate than that of some other airplanes. (We do not part out singles.). Commercial Beechcraft Bonanza Bell 222 Cessna Skymaster Eurocopter HH 65 King Air Lear-35 Beechjet 400 Cessna 182 Cessna-152 Gulfstream G150 Lear 60 MD 500 Robinson R44 Bell 206 Cessna 310 Aircraft DHC-6 Gulfstream-G200 Lear 75 Piper M600 Military F-18 Hornet T-38 Sea-Hawk F-18 Super Hornet I did have some difficulty loosening the nipples connecting the tank to the fuel outlet and the fuel cell vent. Drop the wheels and 15 degrees of flap, and the pitch changes will cancel each other out. I do not believe they cost more than a couple of knots, and should be installed on all 310s. Pilots coming from other light twins will recognize the 310's as a large step up; it feels like a much larger, more substantial airplane than, say, an Apache or Travel Air. I have an Insight Gemini 1200 Graphic Engine Monitor, and the cylinder head temperatures never exceed 350 degrees on the hottest day, leanest mixture, and highest settings used. I am an ATP with about 1200 hours in light twins. This, of course, must be balanced against the extra hazard posed by single-engine operations when low and slow. Removal and replacement labor usually runs between 10 and 12 hours. These vents have top etched into the valve body. When cruising around 170 KTAS, it is possible to attain a fuel burn of 25 gph, which works out to around four hours in the air plus reserves. VMC and stall speeds are very close, and the low speed handling characteristics are very benign as a result.