A 1981 Cessna 310R II, average price new $234,000, now goes for $220,000. Removal and replacement labor usually runs between 10 and 12 hours. The 1976 T-310 with most options can only hold four normal-sized passengers. It is fairly long and spindly, and more delicate than that of some other airplanes. The original tubes were designed to bring cool air through the cowling to improve cooling at high power settings, but the engine exhaust gases brought about corrosion on the rear wing spars over time. The Cessna 310 is not known to be a maintenance hog by most standards. The main reason I went with Eagle fuel cells is because they are made from Nitrile that is happy with ethanol. We service fuel cells for aircraft including, but not limited to Lear Jet, Gulfstream, Cessna, Citation, Falcon Jet, Astra, BeechJet, Westwind, Hawker, Bombardier, Challenger, Boeing and countless others. Anyone interested in the airplane or the show is invited to call Ed Lachendro at (414) 475-2544. For those who experienced them, whether the problems have been rectified or not seems to depend on the shops responsible for scheduled maintenance. The tip tanks are made from aluminum and contain two pumps, auxiliary and transfer. During its early years, the Model 310 was sold for $59400. A fully equipped 310 with wing locker tanks can have up to ten fuel drain points, eight fuel pumps and a rather complex plumbing system. if(document.URL.indexOf("/register") > -1){ All the T310s come with Garrett turbochargers and automatic wastegates and are conservatively boosted. 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. 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. I have avoided the two big 310 bugaboos: gear problems and exhaust-related corrosion. With so much to choose from, any serious buyer should be able to find an airplane that fits the bill. The R models have a zero-fuel weight limitation, i.e. The IO-470s used on earlier airplanes are much less likely to develop cracks. Dan Dan Thomas, Dec 29, 2013 #2 AggieMike88 Touchdown! Unique angled tie downs secure bladder tanks for airplanes to fwd 9G plus force safely. These tanks are bladder-type cells located between the spars in the outboard wing. It starts with nomenclature. Two CDs at a total cost of $10 arrived in a few days. Approach speeds are relatively high. Cessna's landmark twin also begat a larger turbocharged model, the 320, in 1963, and provided the basis for the pressurized 340. The 310R was the final development of the airplane, and stayed in production until the line was closed down in 1981. 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. The first 310s, built in 1954, were sold as 1955 models. Use a very sharp pick to scratch the debris out of the screw head. As for advice, I strongly recommend membership in the Twin Cessna Flyer organization. PerformanceThis is a strong point of the 310. The engines on many 310s are Continental 520s, which have a well-known propensity for case cracking. Not so on the 310. Ironically, the aircrafts success in the business niche was rather short: around a decade after its introduction, the shadow of the jet age came after the Cessna 310 in its own home, in the shape of the iconic Learjet and Cessnas own Citation series. Where some versions of the TSIO-520 have been pushed to 325 hp, the 310's engines are practically loafing at 285 hp. Fuel Capacity: 130 Gallons 50 Gallon Mains 15 Gallon Aux Tanks Weight and Balance: Max Allowable: 4830 lbs Basic Empty Weight: 3287 lbs Useful Load: 1543 lbs Empty Arm: 35.19 inches aft datum Empty Moment: 115674 inch lbs Engine Specs: Right: Continental IO470D Serial Number 75850-0-D 1089.7 SMOH Compressions at May 2007 Annual: 72/73/72/75/73 In fact, the current owner of the third and final 310 used in the show (a 1967 D model), Songbird III, wrote to tell us that its being fully restored. Despite its recent appreciation, I believe the 310 remains one of the best values on the used aircraft market. On approach, some power has to be carried. It is broadly accepted that the true competition to the Cessna 310 came in 1970 when Beechcraft introduced their new twin-engine six-seater in the shape of the Beech 58 Baron. This position is set for what Cessna believed to be the most common weight settings for normal operations, and thus most take-offs will be made with trim set slightly ahead or behind it but never too far from it. This group offers advice and knowledge sharing across all parts of the ownership process, from finding the right Cessna 310 to buy to maintenance or flying tips. Early 310s could manage 415 feet per minute on one engine at maximum gross weight (4,700 pounds in the 310B). 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. Dont fly again until the blockage is opened. horsepower increased and so did demands for fuel. A year later, this family underwent a modification common to almost all Cessna piston-powered aircraft at the time: the blocky, straight-ended vertical stabilizer and rudder were swapped for the now-iconic swept version with the Cessna 310D. They had 240 HP Continental O-470 engines housed in very tight and aerodynamic (for the time) cowlings. Landing gearThe other 310 system that gets a lot of attention is the landing gear. Radio navigation initially included LORAN gear, but the networks demise with the emergence of satellite navigation systems has made it little more than ballast for most pilots. Single-engine service ceiling is about 7000 to 7500 feet, or 17,000-18,000 for the turbo. RAP is a proud certified repair center for the following: RAP supports all branches of the United States Military through the repair of aircraft fuel cells / fuel bladders. The mains also are the receptacle for the contents of the wing locker tanks. This involved replacing the Continental IO-470 engines with the turbocharged intercooled Lycoming TIO-540, with an output of 350 hp. The effects on performance are noticeable: the aircrafts power ratio rose to 7.71 lb/hp, with a cruising speed of 260 knots at 18500 ft, and a rate of climb of 3000 fpm (feet per minute). The BTC-39 bladder cant be repaired and must be inspected every 100 hours for leakage in accordance with AD 78-05-06 until its removed from service. The aircraft is rather nose heavy on the take-off roll if the trim is left on neutral and risks pitching up into a stall if set too far aft. Theoretically, its physically and materially possible to field repair a bladder given enough time, diligence and discipline. New bladders cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece; refurbishing costs one-quarter to half as much as new. Finally, the 285-hp versions will do just over 190 knots on 29 gph. The competition for the Cessna 310 has changed from its introduction. The Cessna 310 saw plenty of experimentation in its design. The bladder I purchased was a much smoother and a much more flexible tank than the removed tank, which was stiff and felt semi-rigid by comparison. Shortly after I purchased my 310, I put on vortex generators, which are a must with this airplane. Spins and aerobatic maneuvers are not permitted in normal category airplanes. Older tuna-tank models had a lot of problems with their fuel bladders, but this was dealt with through an AD. Much of it consists of Cessna Dealer Sales Manual material originally penned by him, with some additional supporting articles. It all started innocently enough, with those 50-gallon tip tanks as the only containers of fuel. It requires inspections for cracks, including magnetic particle inspection every 1,000 hours or the replacement of the bearings with an improved part. Included with the new bladder was an installation kit that included all new clips, a roll of bay tapeapplied inside the tank bay prior to tank installation to cushion any wear pointscork gaskets and nipple clamps. Cessna part 1200065-2 $1,485.00 Choose Options sku: EA-1200065-1E Fuel Cell, LH Main Tank. In line with many 1950s Cessna products, the cockpits were not originally arranged in the now-classic basic-T configuration, which can be ergonomically challenging for pilots used to it. I think it would sure be worth putting those drains in while I'm changing the bladder. Also, new threadless blade propellers were standard; each is six pounds lighter than the previous prop, for a total of 12 pounds per aircraft. The mains have to be run for 60 minutes if the airplane has 20-gallon aux tanks (or 90 minutes for 30-gallon aux tanks) because excess fuel is pumped back to the mains, and if there isnt room for it, it goes overboard. According to owners and 310 support groups, parts are readily available for the airplane, although, as is true with any model these days, the costs can be dear. Usable fuel capacity can be 100, 132, 142, 182 or 203 gallons-from 600 to 1218 pounds of fuel. document.getElementsByClassName("mobile")[0].getElementsByTagName("a")[0].href = "tel:330-698-0280"; document.getElementById("CountryId").value = 1; Its also possible for the pilot to have as much as 30 gallons of fuel that cant be used. The aircraft was framed as a purpose-built tool for businessmen to grow and as a long-term alternative to the surplus conversions that had flooded the niche until then. Wing locker tanks, each with 20 gallons total capacity, became options with the 1967 models. The Cessna 310 is an American four-to-six-seat, low-wing, twin-engine monoplane produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. . The almighty dollarAs expected, prices for the 310 vary widely based on age and condition. A welcome side-effect of their installation is that they are quieter than the original two-blade units installed. For example, a Cessna 310R with low-time engines, a Garmin cockpit, fresh paint, and a well-preserved interior can easily break the $200000 mark in asking price. Speed has always been a strong 310 selling point, for good reason. LoadingUp through the 310G, the series is about average for baggage space (about average means frequently having to carry some in the cabin). Find more About Us here! Beyond the initial production models, fuel was distributed between the two main tip tanks, two optional auxiliary ones, and another optional pair in the wing lockers. This should be a mandatory investment for all R owners. The 310 offers more payload and cabin room than its competitors, and is more stable in turbulence, but at the cost of a heavier control feel than a baron. When you smell fuel outside the airplane for an hour or two after topping off the fuel but not when the fuel level is down, the most likely cause is age-related deterioration of the top of your bladder. Most airplanes have just one of these, and its contents cannot be consumed directly by the engines. A proper check during the pre-buy is sufficient for prospective buyers to avoid surprises, while current owners should keep close attention during inspections and do preventive work whenever issues are found. The registration records showed that 7LJ had been based in Albuquerque, N.M. for at least 20 years. Vortex generators will give you a much greater return for one-tenth the cost. Combined with the relative fragility of the gear, these can be a real problem. So, Cessna provided continuous-duty fuel pumps that move fuel from the front to the back of the tank. Gross weights eventually reached approximately 5500 pounds. Yes, we're talking tuna tanks, those slightly clunky vessels at the ends of the wings, slated to hold 50 gallons of fuel each. Steve Ells has been an A&P/IA for 39 years and is a commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Call us at 1-800-647-6148. Overall, a good package of background information.]. Used parts- We've parted out over 350 Cessna twins, from 303 thru 441. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,087 kg. Initially, the two major civilian twin-engine general aviation offers on the market were the Beechcraft Twin Bonanza and the Piper Apache. Hot refuel . When I began to get a good whiff of fuel after filling the right main of 7 Lima Juliet, my 1966 Cessna 182J, I knew it was bladder time. Power is provided by the Continental O-470 family of engines for most models, though not exclusively. Long Range. Plenty of Model 310 units in the market have undergone a much-needed avionics rework over the years, but it is still possible to run into original spec aircraft, which means a somewhat steep price to bring them to modern standards. Landing over a 50-foot obstacle in a 310R will consume 1790 feet, compared to a 58 Barons 2498. 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. The weight of the fuel concentrated on the tip tanks adds a significant roll tendency, which can be exacerbated into pilot-induced oscillations if one does not take it easy on the ailerons. 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. Cessna 182. https://www.cessnaflyer.org/cessna-twins/cessna-310/item/1315-the-cross-country-capable-cessna-310.html, https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/cessna-310, https://www.aviationconsumer.com/used-aircraft-guide/cessna-310-2/, https://www.risingup.com/planespecs/info/airplane399.shtml, https://bwifly.com/cessna-310-insurance-cost/, Bombardier Challenger 300 Guide and Specs. This section of the article is only available for our members. Flap deployment speeds were gradually raised, starting at 140 knots until the Model 310K increased it to 155, while the 310R could drop them at 160 knots. 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. //