Preheating on cold days, a cool climb speed and slow descent along with 50-hour oil and filter changes will save downtime and money. I have never noticed any real difference in flight characteristics regardless of loads, other than the to-be-expected slower rate of climb at gross vs. at light weights. The early models can deliver cruise speeds of 175 KTAS, and the later ones better than 190 if needed. This website contains many older reviews. The Cessna 310 grew up quickly. It is fairly long and spindly, and more delicate than that of some other airplanes. Where some versions of the TSIO-520 have been pushed to 325 hp, the 310's engines are practically loafing at 285 hp. Next time, Ill polish the outside surface of each tube with a scouring pad and lube the tube with a little light oil to lessen friction. Cessna 210. 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. The fuel vent valve must be reinstalled with the hinge line up. Cessna part 1200065-5 $1,485.00 SKU: EA-1200065-5E Add Installation Kit For This Fuel Cell: The result is an Belvoir Media Group, LLC. Theres a STOL kit available from Sierra Industries, but the cost is so high that its value is questionable. The first engines fitted were a pair of Continental O-470-B carbureted engines outputting 240 hp each. Many callers are desperate for 310 information, with questions about the exhaust, landing gear, engine models and fuel system. Call us at 1-800-647-6148. per 15 hours), the RAM Series I option got me two new props, two RAM converted TSIO 520 EB engines, new hoses, and a Shadin fuel totalizer at a price comparable to what many good shops quote for two reman engine replacements. I've flown mine 4.5 hours but I have IO-470's. You'll hit bladder limits before airplane range limits. This section of the article is only available for our members. Vortex generators will give you a much greater return for one-tenth the cost. 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. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Removal and replacement labor usually runs between 10 and 12 hours. You can guess the rest. A leaking fuel bladder. HIGH QUALITY FUEL CELLS Recognized Fuel Cell Authority FAA & EASA Certified Hours: Our Focus Is You Our goal through this website is to provide you with the information you need to make informed fuel cell decisions. I think FFC in Memphis makes their's out of the same material and maybe some others. 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. Lineperson: Yes, sir, whereupon the auxiliaries get filled to the brim. But wait, theres more. An Aztec is a fine plane, but it is slower and the Aztec, Seneca, and Baron all have smaller, less comfortable interiors for people such as myself-I am 62, and probably need to read a good diet book instead of the aviation magazines I prefer. Climb rates were also slightly affected: earlier models met their best climb at 1800 fpm, which went down to 1650 fpm by the time production ended. tanks will result in about 8 gal. Cessna was moving aggressively into the business market, and the 310 was a key part, and first element, of that plan. The avionics suite fitted on most Cessna 310s has been found to be on the lacking side by modern standards. RAP is an FAA Certified Repair Station (CRS no. According to Larry Balls The Twin Cessna Flyer, nearly half of all twin Cessna accidents and incidents are directly related to the gear, and a quarter of all accidents and incidents are related to failure of the nose gear idler bellcrank under the pilots feet. 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. New bladders cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece; refurbishing costs one-quarter to half as much as new. Hot refuel . Owners groupOwners of twin Cessnas have their own support organization in the form of The Twin Cessna Flyer, headed by Larry Ball. The one problem is that Cessna advertises the 310 as a six-place airplane. 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. The mains also are the receptacle for the contents of the wing locker tanks. Cells are evaluated, repaired, and returned to service in accordance with US AIRFORCE TO-1-1-3 or NAVAIR 01-1A-35. (Such nicknames come from the tank's fish-like profile.) Made o So, Cessna provided continuous-duty fuel pumps that move fuel from the front to the back of the tank. Much of it consists of Cessna Dealer Sales Manual material originally penned by him, with some additional supporting articles. Where some versions of the TSIO-520 have been pushed to 325 hp, the 310's engines are practically loafing at 285 hp. Call us at 1-800-647-6148. Finally, the auxiliary tanks were enlarged once more, in 1973, to 63 gallons total. The latest is a 1976 T-310, purchased new. FFC constructions meet the Technical Standard TSO-C80. Later model 310s have heavier main gear torque tubes and side brace support brackets. Cessna 310 / Model Prices During its early years, the Model 310 was sold for $59400. Each engine is equipped with a mechanically driven fuel pump which provides fuel to the metering unit. This 310, with canted tanks, swept fin and short nose, is one of the most attractive light twins ever built. An AOPA analysis of 225 service difficulty reports (SDRs) from a sample of 150 units from different Model 310 families showed that 40 of these were related to the landing gear. The installation has an external filler neck and includes a new lightning-proof fuel cap. Put your ear down by the filler cap and open it. Cushioning the edges of the access hole with tape lessens the chances of damaging the bladder during removal (and installation) and reduces the amount of skin rubbed raw while working through the hole. The bigger Continental came aboard in the 1975 model, the R. It's interesting to note that through the life of the 310, engine power was increased only 45 hp a side. Local Pickup. You could order one or both of the locker tanks. Cessna introduced their canted Stabila-Tip tanks, said to be more aerodynamically efficient than the old tanks. [CDATA[ The fuel pickup from the mains is at the rear of the tank, which means that it wont get picked up properly during descent. Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Parts. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Goodyear Aerospace Corp Cessna 310 RH Fuel Cell Bladder PN 0823343-6 0823343-4 at the best online prices at eBay! 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. 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. System Emergency Procedures. For the budget-minded, an early 310 can be a (relatively) inexpensive entry to the world of twin engines. Might as well do both right away! Early models had Goodyears, which caused some problems. Answer: With a cruise speed of 183 knots at 7500 ft, the Cessna 310 burns around 25 gph. Still, the 310 is large and heavy enough that braking performance can be marginal. 1975 Cessna T-310R airplane for sale located in Orlando, Florida. tanks because the engine driven fuel pumps feed more fuel to the engines than they can use except at the highest power settings. Windows were added and lengthened through the 310's gestation as well. All the T310s come with Garrett turbochargers and automatic wastegates and are conservatively boosted. The wing area is of 175 sq ft. The nose was extended a little starting with the 310K, which helps spread the load. I recalled from my days as a tech rep that the most common failure of a light airplane fuel bladder is age-related deterioration of the top surface due to long-term exposure to heat. I am a professional aircraft broker who specializes in Cessna twins. Both bladders were replaced at the same time at the same shop. Int. Noise level, engine wear, and fuel flow are all reduced. When it happens, this is a relatively simple fix but requires some attention during pre-flight inspections. Several variants of the IO-470 were used through the 1975 model year in the 310Q. I flight plan for 175 knots and firmly believe in the highest recommended manifold pressure and lowest recommended RPM settings for the desired percentage of power. Along with that, weight and balance has to be watched more closely. Cessna 310 Series; Cessna 320; Cessna 335; Cessna 340; Cessna 401/402 Series; Cessna 402; Cessna 411; Cessna 414 Series; Cessna 421; Looking for an aircraft fuel tank repair, a helicopter fuel cell to buy, or have a rotorcraft fuel cell that needs repairing, or maybe you need to purchase a Cessna, Beech or Piper fuel bladder? Confused? For more than five decades, active and dedicated aircraft owners and pilots have turned to AVIATION CONSUMER to answer their most important buying questions. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry product pricing from the time of the original review. Handling on the Cessna 310 is in line with expectations for most Cessna aircraft pleasant, predictable handling, with certain aspects scaled up in line with the series larger dimensions compared to the Model 152 or 172 many learned to fly on. Though the PA-23 would later be a direct competitor to the 310, the original Apache was far down the scale on power. However, this connection returns fuel only to the main tank on the same side as the engine. In one aircraft, maximum payload is 1059 pounds, which can handle six FAA adults (170 pounds) and 39 pounds of baggage. 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 Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. As with most structural work, this is a very costly problem to address, but the alternative is retiring the aircraft. Joined: Jan 13, 2010 Messages: 20,655 Location: Denton, TX When the Cessna 310 was first introduced in 1954, the aviation industry was immersed in the aftermath of two major wars. Use a very sharp pick to scratch the debris out of the screw head. Flying an aircraft with a weakened bladder negates this safety feature. To improve low-speed handling and stall behavior, the company MicroAero offers vortex generators that are attached to the wings and vertical stabilizers. PROVEN IN THE JUNGLES OF PNG. 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 I have been taught by 310 drivers with much more experience to set the nose down lightly and avoid high-speed turns that induce side loads on the gear components. Aside from the nose gear idler bellcrank, the gear displays a variety of problems associated with torque tubes, support brackets and trunnions. Installation requires approximately 25 man hours; dimensions 29" 17.5" 9". The 1956 model of the Cessna 310 has a cruise speed of 178 knots, a range of 870 nautical miles, a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, and a rate of climb of 1,700 feet per minute. However, the turbos are relatively small, and power is down to 55 percent by 25,000 feet at the maximum recommended cruise rpm of 2,350. Model Year. Climb, speed, and range performance on the 58 Baron was on par with the 310s. Although the engine-compartment systems of the various 310s are fairly straightforward, the same cannot be said for the fuel system. Two major downsides of the Beechcraft offering were the narrow cabin, a holdover from the much smaller Beech 36 Bonanza, and the considerably higher price: in 1980, the base price for the Cessna 310R was $200000, compared to $300000 for a standard-fit Baron. A new bladder for our sample Cessna 182 was quoted at $850, however their Website catalog listed it at over $1000. A fuel flow gauge, fuel quantity gauge, and a fuel low level warning light are located in the cockpit. top. At maximum gross weight, earlier variants could still climb at 415 fpm. The first 310s, built in 1954, were sold as 1955 models. 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). After removing the screws holding the filler neck plate in place and setting it aside, I worked through the access hole to remove the fuel tank air vent valve. Maximum boost for a sea-level takeoff is a moderate 32 inches. The IO-470s used on earlier airplanes are much less likely to develop cracks. - We've parted out over 350 Cessna twins, from 303 thru 441. Wait until you have to manage the tanks. With so much to choose from, any serious buyer should be able to find an airplane that fits the bill. Part # Aircraft Capacity Weight Dimensions 115100 AA-5, -5A, -5B 18 gal 20 lbs 29" 17.5" 9" They had 240 HP Continental O-470 engines housed in very tight and aerodynamic (for the time) cowlings. Cessna fuel selector valve kit 0311070-1 Our PPFSV5 fuel selector valve kit for the 0311070-1 valve, which is common on the Cessna 180, 182, 190, 195, 310 and 320 models. Pulsing exhaust gases in the augmenters were supposed to create a suction of cooling air through the cowling, on the premise that at high power, more suction would be created and therefore cooling would be improved. The auxiliary tanks, in turn, could cause engine sputtering and occasional shutdowns if one is not careful: during turbulence, the Cessna 310s tendency to yaw leads the fuel away from the intake. 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. It is straightforward: Mains (which are the tip tanks), Auxiliary, Crossfeed, and Off. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,087 kg. 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. The 310 was the companys only twin for several years. The proboscis grew 32 inches, and housed a sizable baggage compartment. 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. Early 310s could manage 415 feet per minute on one engine at maximum gross weight (4,700 pounds in the 310B). Removing and replacing a bladder is not a difficult process. Long Range. Payloads were a strong selling point of the Cessna 310, with a useful load of 2000 lbs or above depending on the model and fuel quantity. All overhauled or repaired aircraft fuel cells are returned to service with a current 8130 and carry a one year warranty. Depending on the option fitted, this could expand the aircrafts capacity from 102 gallons up to 207 in total. . Thanks to the long life of the airplane and the many changes made to it, an almost bewildering array of choices exist for the 310 buyer. 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. Initially, the two major civilian twin-engine general aviation offers on the market were the Beechcraft Twin Bonanza and the Piper Apache. 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. Cessna has a kit available to retrofit earlier airplanes. document.getElementsByClassName("mobile")[0].getElementsByTagName("a")[0].href = "tel:330-698-0280"; 1976 Cessna 182P in very good condition located in Southern California presently at KAJO Corona, CA Airport. 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. Pitch response is heaviest, roll the lightest, with generally good stick force per G and longitudinal stability. The 310R was the final development of the airplane, and stayed in production until the line was closed down in 1981. By the time the last Cessna 310, a Model T310R, left the production line, it had a base price of $259915. Also available are engine and prop upgrades from Colemill Enterprises for the 310F through Q, which carry with them gross weight increases. 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. 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. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. 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. I strongly recommend the turbocharged models. Tanks collapse because the air vent valve tubes and vents get plugged by insects or dirt and dust. It requires inspections for cracks, including magnetic particle inspection every 1,000 hours or the replacement of the bearings with an improved part. This speedsters reputation is well-deserved, and it is likely to linger for many more years as older, low-hour Cessna 310s are finding their way back to the skies after restoration projects. The chart on the right contains construction specific details exhibited from past and present manufacturers. Crosswind landings are simple due to good aileron and rudder authority. Three-ten shoppers (and pilots) would do well to sit down with a jug of coffee and a good reading lamp and bone up on this airplane's fuel system. In 1960, Cessna put a swept tail on the airplane, calling it the 310D. The twin rearview windows were removed from the 1965 Cessna 310K onwards in favor of a large single one to improve visibility. LH Main Tank. Turbocharged 310s can do 225 at max cruise. My airplane is an honest six-seater with a useful load of 1600 pounds. Also the landing gear must be adjusted carefully and properly to insure smooth and dependable operation.The 310s fuel system has been unfairly criticized in the past. Because the gear makes the airplane sit up high, new pilots are cautioned to be careful of hard landings. Instead, locker fuel must be pumped to the corresponding main tank. As mentioned above, the long gear legs make the airplane sit much higher than some pilots are used to. 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. The Twin Bonanza, in turn, had a rather short life in the market and lingered on primarily as a military trainer, but its performance and high operational costs made it unable to compete with the Cessna 310. Jamie comes from a long line of military and civilian pilots! And although the system worked, exhaust gases, being quite corrosive, wreaked havoc on the wing structure. The fuel system consists of two main tanks, two optional auxiliary tanks, two optional wing locker tanks, fuel selectors for selection of main, auxiliary or crossfeed and other necessary components to complete the system. Money talks, though, and the true cost of a twin is doubled engine maintenance and fuel bills. 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. 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. Among the more noteworthy ones are the Riley Rocket 310 and Riley Turbostream 310, by aeronautical engineer Jack Riley. VMC and stall speeds are very close, and the low speed handling characteristics are very benign as a result. The fact that theres a lot of fuel hanging out on the wingtips tends to exacerbate the side loads on the gear, as well. Collapsed fuel bladders have caused many incidents and a few accidents due to restricted fuel flow or to fuel exhaustion because a partially collapsed tank appears from the filler opening and on the gauge to be full of fuel, but in reality contains much less. Still, the target audience had not changed, and thus it never quite managed to rival the Cessna 310 at home turf. ATSs Danielle Murphy told us that they try to apply some sort of discount on every sale. 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. Classified Ad with Best Offer. 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. Fortunately, aside from the gear troubles noted earlier, there doesn't seem to be any one recurring trouble spot with the 310s. Paul pointed out a major advantage of Eagle's STC'd fuel drains/test ports. In the midst of all this, the cabin was enlarged, and the model became a six-seater with the 1963 310H. Before choosing the option to send out for repair or install new, the leaking bladder must be inspected to determine the best course of action. In practical terms, the wingtip tanks cannot be used to their full volume: topping them up until the caps lead to fuel being vented out during take-off due to the pressure in the tanks. 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. On approach, some power has to be carried. The attitude that its just another airplane can cost the buyer dearly. C-310s with lots of avionics and other options compound the loading exercise. 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. note: Mr. Temple sent us one of these packets. Owner CommentsI have owned three turbocharged Cessna 310s. One of Cessna's great triumphs through the decades has been the success in making transitions up through the line relatively painless for pilots. Aircraft: Cessna 182B. What started as a five-place twin became a six-placer with 1963s 310H. Maladies include broken or cracked mounts, support structures, actuator rods, door hinges and actuators, shock struts, and bellcranks. I used a small block of wood as a pusher to get enough push to drive home one of the snaps located at the end of my reach. Many early 310s suffer substantial corrosion at the aft spar and wing skins, and such trouble unnoticed during the prepurchase inspection can leave the new 310 owner feeling a bit blue. The almighty dollarAs expected, prices for the 310 vary widely based on age and condition. All overhauled or repaired helicopter floatation devices are returned to service with a current 8130 and a six-month warranty. 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 The general Cessna group of choice is the Cessna Pilots Association (www.cessna.org, (805) 922-2580). Condition. 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. Early models can go four hours. It is important to find a good A&P to help care for your 310. The airplane has a 28-volt, negative ground, direct current electrical system powered by an alternator on each engine and a 24-volt battery. Experienced 310 pilots say that minimizing aileron inputs is the only way to prevent the 310 from rocking around the pattern like a rowboat in high seas. Bladders work fine if they're properly installed and cared for. I also had to remove the tank sump quick drain fittings and the fuel quantity transmitter and float. Anyone interested in the airplane or the show is invited to call Ed Lachendro at (414) 475-2544. These brought marginal gains in cruise and top speed but became extremely popular due to the advantages incurred during take-offs and climbs. document.getElementById("CountryId").value = 1; The market treats the various 310s pretty evenly: theres no real marked jump with model changes as often happens. This makes hard landings a real possibility, and the gear just cant take that much abuse. Pilots report that real-world operations arent as good as these numbers would have you believe. Combined with the relative fragility of the gear, these can be a real problem. The cockpit features an elevator trim indication with a mark noting the take-off setting, and for a good reason. It greatly eases the task of loading and arranging aft baggage. Eagle Fuel Cells notes recommend grounding the airframe to lessen the possibility of generating a static electricity-generated fire. 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. A long-range airplane has six tanks and 10 fuel pumps. The optional auxiliary tanks are available in two sizes. This aircraft is not immune to the relatively high operational costs inherent to twin-engine aircraft and is combined with the advanced age of most units. In the meantime, Jamie passes all of his knowledge about flying, planes, and flight simulators on to the readers at Aviator Insider. I did have some difficulty loosening the nipples connecting the tank to the fuel outlet and the fuel cell vent. VGs are also available from Robertson. Certain traits on the Model 310 can catch an inexperienced pilot off-guard in case of single engine failure during take-off or landing. After all the nipples were free and all the hangar clips were removed, I rolled the tank into a tube and slid it out the hole in the top of the wing.