In the single-engine category, the 310 also performs reasonably well, however few light twins are truly spectacular with one engine inoperative. For more than five decades, active and dedicated aircraft owners and pilots have turned to AVIATION CONSUMER to answer their most important buying questions. One of my bladders was replaced in 2002, and my other one is just starting to leak a bit now. 1959 saw the first big change in the 310, with the switch to fuel-injected 260 HP Continental IO-470D engines and another rise in gross weight This airplane was dubbed the 310C. 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. The dawn of the jet age, fully realized during the Korean War, had signaled a major shift in the American militarys design requirements and procurement decisions. At the time of our last look at the 310 in 1996, the FAA was considering a stiff update to the AD that thankfully did not come to pass. While propeller-driven aircraft were the primary victims of this paradigm shift, they found a second life in the civilian market. The competition for the Cessna 310 has changed from its introduction. He ran the mains dry. The time between overhaul for the Continental OI-520 engines fitted on the Cessna 310R is of 1400 hours. (We do not part out singles.). 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. Ells also loves utility and bush-style airplanes and operations. The same caveat applies-there has to be room enough for the fuel, so the pilot waits until theres 180 pounds or less in the mains before transferring fuel from the locker tanks. Shade the top surface of the wings whenever possible and strive to top off the fuel tanks after each flight since the fuel will moderate bladder surface temperatures by acting as a heat sink. So, Cessna provided continuous-duty fuel pumps that move fuel from the front to the back of the tank. Turbo single-engine performance is even more impressive: from 390 to 440 FPM-thats up in turboprop territory, and very impressive for a piston twin. Short field performance is great given the aircrafts size and weight. The next significant change was in 1962, with the 310G. As mentioned above, the long gear legs make the airplane sit much higher than some pilots are used to. Then the rubber of each nipple can be softened by wrapping it in a towel or rag thats been dipped in hot water. note: Mr. Temple sent us one of these packets. AOPA Members DO more LEARN more SAVE more - Get MORE out of being a pilot -, 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Available with 102/143/166/184/207 gallon systems, Avg. If time is critical, providers offer repaired bladders on an exchange basis. The 310 was built through the 1957 model year. I knew it as soon as I saw the telltale stripes of blue dye on the metal fairing covering the gap between the bottom of the right wing and the fuselage. Cessna 310: Still the Sky King? Prompt Quotes - Big Discounts - 95% Same-Day Shipment. Distinguishing marks of these early models are multiple rear windows, a straight tail, and tuna tanks, so-called for their shape. This can be avoided by minimizing aileron inputs and balancing the aircraft with rudder. Cessna was moving aggressively into the business market, and the 310 was a key part, and first element, of that plan. 1976 Cessna 182P in very good condition located in Southern California presently at KAJO Corona, CA Airport. First came 20-gallon wing-mounted bladders, followed by an additional 11.5-gallon . Model Year. 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. A 1981 Cessna 310R II, average price new $234,000, now goes for $220,000. This has caused accidents. Still, it can be said that the type is one of the most affordable twin-engine aircraft in the market as far as entry costs go. The cabin on the Cessna 310 traditionally seats four passengers plus one pilot, however starting with the Model 310G, a factory option for six passengers was added. Marc E. Cook, AOPA Pilot, May 1994. The 310 makes for a good, stable IFR platform, according to owners, with excellent cruise stability. This is the perfect time to make up a fuel tank quantity dipstick (I know I sound like a dipstick salesman, but they work and they are a simple safety tool) and to make sure you know exactly how much fuel your new bladder holds. When we're not in the air, we're here helping others how to join us here at Aviator Insider. 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. As Cessna did to virtually all its models in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the 310 received a swept vertical fin in place of the upright tail used through the 1959 model. In the midst of all this, the cabin was enlarged, and the model became a six-seater with the 1963 310H. We stock parts for all Cessna Multi-engine airplanes: New and Used Cessna T303 Crusader Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna 310 Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna T310 Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna 320 Skyknight Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna 335 Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna 336 Skymaster Aircraft Parts, New and Used Cessna 337 Cruise speeds remained around 182 KIAS, while the maximum structural speed was gently bumped from 215 KIAS to 223 KIAS in late models. As for advice, I strongly recommend membership in the Twin Cessna Flyer organization. The twin rearview windows were removed from the 1965 Cessna 310K onwards in favor of a large single one to improve visibility. The optional wing locker fuel tanks are located in the forward portion of each wing locker baggage area. Aside from another bump in gross weight and the move to 285 HP Continental IO-520M engines on the normally aspirated model, the 310R got a whacking great nose job. This 310, with canted tanks, swept fin and short nose, is one of the most attractive light twins ever built. Reliance AeroProducts International is a FAA Certified Repair Station and provider of fuel cell repairs and re-certifications. A T310R, for example, has a zero fuel weight of 5015 pounds. The Cessna 310 grew up quickly. Please click here to jointo view this part of the article. 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. Much of it consists of Cessna Dealer Sales Manual material originally penned by him, with some additional supporting articles. 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. These consisted of damage to mounts, supporting structures, actuators, and doors, several of which led to partial or full landing gear failure. When vents are blocked its not unusual for the floor of the bladder to be pulled up. Ive also followed the advice of many to keep the gear properly rigged and lubricated. Paul pointed out a major advantage of Eagle's STC'd fuel drains/test ports. The debate has gone on for many years. 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. Newer model 310s benefited from a one-year warranty on the airframe, the avionics, and the engine. Additionally, the company began offering three-blade propellers as a factory option. Other loading and operating considerations were introduced in the later models. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Cessna's landmark twin also begat a larger turbocharged model, the 320, in 1963, and provided the basis for the pressurized 340. For the baseline model, the aircraft has a length of 27 ft, with a wingspan of 35 ft and a height of 10 ft 6 in with the landing gear extended. Also using spoilers to produce a drop in airspeed to permit landing gear operation is a nice option to have when too high or hot for normal gradual speed reductions or while descending. Vortex generators will give you a much greater return for one-tenth the cost. Cessna 310 pilots have instruments displaying fuel flow, quantity, and low-level light. I have avoided the two big 310 bugaboos: gear problems and exhaust-related corrosion. Cabin size was increased, along with gross weight. These tanks are bladder-type cells located between the spars in the outboard wing. Empty weight is of 2850 lbs, while gross weight sits at 4600 lbs. Construction - Extra grade fabric used most times best suited for Jet A. 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. Cessna part 1200065-5 Fuel Cell. The gap for the turbo models is similar. Fuel Cells / Bladders; S/N 18253599 & Up; S/N 18253599 & Up. More than 5,400 were built, and there are several major variations. These vents have top etched into the valve body. The result is an Belvoir Media Group, LLC. We typically remove the aft two seats (very easy to do), leaving a cavernous baggage area along with the two wing lockers. The only real glitch involved sliding the vent tube onto its nipple. The shortcomings of the Apache were partially addressed with the Aztec series, but in 1963 it passed the torch onto the more powerful and maneuverable Twin Comanche. This means that using fuel from either the auxiliary tank on the same side, or the main tank on the opposite side, about half the fuel flow will be moving to the same-side main. 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. Please select all the ways you would like to hear from AVIATION GROUP LTD: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. Beyond the broader clubs, a popular option among Model 310 owners is The Twin Cessna Flyers. Engine-out performance is better than average, with normally aspirated single-engine rate of climb pegged at anywhere from 330 to 380 FPM, depending on model. 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. The Cessna 310 is an American four-to-six-seat, low-wing, twin-engine monoplane produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. . Something went wrong. Surprisingly, very few people know what zero-fuel weight is. Jamie comes from a long line of military and civilian pilots! It is important to find a good A&P to help care for your 310. The 310 is a hefty airplane, particularly in its later variants. The engines on many 310s are Continental 520s, which have a well-known propensity for case cracking. The three biggest light aircraft fuel bladder companies today are Aero-Tech Services in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Eagle Fuel Cells in Eagle River, Wis., and Floats & Fuel Cells (FFC) in Memphis, Tenn. Eagle Fuel Cells and Floats & Fuel Cells are CFA supporters. 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 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 tanks are generally filled after each flight. . Check with your mechanic to see if he or she is willing to supervise as you take on the through-the-hole job of bladder R&R. Shortly after I purchased my 310, I put on vortex generators, which are a must with this airplane. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. 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. According to information on both Eagles and FFCs websites, only the US-943 is a candidate for repair. The companys bet paid off: between 1954 and 1980, a total of 5449 Cessna 310 units were delivered to customers, including militaries at home and around the world. An optional large baggage door was introduced on the 310P. Although the engine-compartment systems of the various 310s are fairly straightforward, the same cannot be said for the fuel system. System Emergency Procedures. For some reason, Cessna decided to designate the tip tanks as the mains, and the wing tanks as the auxiliaries. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. // , Twin Cessna Articulating Crew Seat Pivot Arm, Our inventory of almost 100,000 part numbers of new surplus Cessna parts includes. This 310, with bladderless all-metal canted tanks, swept fin and short nose, is often said to be one of the most attractive light twins ever built. . LoadingUp through the 310G, the series is about average for baggage space (about average means frequently having to carry some in the cabin). Please login to continue enjoying members-only content. Non-turbocharged models were on offer for around $200000. 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. The result is that, at low speeds, a Cessna 310 equipped with them has a more gradual, smooth transition into a stall instead of snapping into it.
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