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. I think FFC in Memphis makes their's out of the same material and maybe some others. being added back to the mains. 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. document.getElementsByClassName("mobile")[0].getElementsByTagName("a")[0].href = "tel:330-698-0280";
During its early years, the Model 310 was sold for $59400. 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 optional wing locker fuel tanks are located in the forward portion of each wing locker baggage area. 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. Used parts- We've parted out over 350 Cessna twins, from 303 thru 441. The wing locker fuel tanks now have tear-resistant bladders and a new metal containment canister. We used a Hartwick bladder, but the customer service was somewhat lacking. 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. Answer: Today, a Cessna 310 typically costs anywhere between $30000 and $150000 depending on the aircrafts age, state, and fit. LH Main Tank. Classified Ad with Best Offer. In the pattern, landing flaps deployment leads to a noticeable pitch-up moment, but this can be offset by commanding gear extension at the same time as the pitch changes will cancel themselves out. Prior to installing the new tank I spent quite a bit of time cleaning the bay to remove any fuel stains and dirt. Local Pickup. Long Range. Power is provided by the Continental O-470 family of engines for most models, though not exclusively. Single-engine service ceiling went up with the turbo models, to 17,200 feet in the T310R; a 310B could hold 7,700 feet on one engine. Cessna didn't stop there. So, Cessna provided continuous-duty fuel pumps that move fuel from the front to the back of the tank. Reliance AeroProducts International is a FAA Certified Repair Station and provider of fuel cell repairs and re-certifications. 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. According to owners and mechanics, the 470s live a long and happy life under 310 cowls, and the number of service difficulty reports slated for the 470-powered airplanes is proportionally lower than for the IO-520 and TSIO-520 versions. Whether these make it hard to deal with depends on your point of view. The first step is to know which bladder your aircraft uses. HistoryThe 310 was introduced in 1954, a year after Pipers PA-23 Apache. Stalls on the Cessna 310 are not described as particularly nasty but are still not quite as gentle as on Cessnas high-wing singles. The fuel vent valve must be reinstalled with the hinge line up. Replaces Cessna 1200065-5 Home Cessna Models 182 Models Fuel Cells / Bladders S/N 18253599 & Up Fuel Cell. Money talks, though, and the true cost of a twin is doubled engine maintenance and fuel bills. I also had to remove the tank sump quick drain fittings and the fuel quantity transmitter and float. These are managed via a fuel flow selector with main, auxiliary, and crossfeed positions. This section of the article is only available for our members. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Cessna introduced their canted Stabila-Tip tanks, said to be more aerodynamically efficient than the old tanks. Cessna flyers are part of the largest general aviation family in the world and have access to massive clubs as a result. }
About two years ago I installed Power-Pac Spoilers, and likewise have never regretted it. 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. Due to a spate of less-than-stellar logbook maintenance records that referred to the shop work order numbers in lieu of actually describing the work done, I wasnt able to accurately determine the age or type of the installed bladders. In the meantime, Jamie passes all of his knowledge about flying, planes, and flight simulators on to the readers at Aviator Insider. 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. The keys to getting great bladder service life start with the installation. Cleveland offers brake sets that can be retrofitted in lieu of the original Goodyear ones, which are more expensive to maintain on the long run. Average normally aspirated 310s run from $40000 for the earliest models up to $191000 for the newest 310R. Put your ear down by the filler cap and open it. 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. Flaps were of the split type for aerodynamic efficiency (no external flap brackets), and the gear was of electromechanical design. Yes, we're talking tuna tanks, those slightly clunky vessels at the ends of the wings, slated to hold 50 gallons of fuel each. Of course I dont push the engines to the maximum, and find that I can cruise at 25.5 to 26 inches, 2200 RPM, with a fuel flow at altitudes in the low teens of about 13.5 to 14 GPH and still keep the EGTs below 1520 degrees. Most shops either stock or can order whatever you require to keep it running within short notice. 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. The most recent type-specific AD, 90-02-13, covers the main landing gear barrel inner bearings. Finally, the auxiliary tanks were enlarged once more, in 1973, to 63 gallons total. Still, the 310 is large and heavy enough that braking performance can be marginal. When we're not in the air, we're here helping others how to join us here at Aviator Insider. Owner CommentsI have owned three turbocharged Cessna 310s. It starts with nomenclature. Baggage capacity grew according to the aircrafts capabilities, going from 200 lbs to 600 lbs. The optional auxiliary tanks are available in two sizes. Even without radar, some 310s with full fuel push the forward CG limit with just a pilot in front, so there are times when seating has to be assigned. 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. Pitch response is heaviest, roll the lightest, with generally good stick force per G and longitudinal stability. The excess is pumped back to the mains and overboard if there isnt room. To support buyers I offer a 310 information package [Ed. 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. The resale value of Cessna 310 varies wildly based on the age of the aircraft, its physical state, adherence to maintenance schedules, and a lesser extent, the modifications installed by the parting owner. He ran the mains dry. At maximum gross weight, earlier variants could still climb at 415 fpm. Flipping the bladder to expose the top and bottom surfaces while its spread out in sunlight on the top of the wing is an easy, safe, no-costand greenheating method. Use a very sharp pick to scratch the debris out of the screw head. Its not unusual for the actual fuel capacity of a bladder and the capacity written in the owners manual or the aircraft flight manual (AFM) to differ. The tanks are generally filled after each flight. 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. Finally, theres the 310s somewhat unusual fuel system, though pilots report that its no big deal. Although the engine-compartment systems of the various 310s are fairly straightforward, the same cannot be said for the fuel system. C-310s with lots of avionics and other options compound the loading exercise. setTimeout(function(){document.getElementById("CountryId").dispatchEvent(new Event("change"));},50);
Where some versions of the TSIO-520 have been pushed to 325 hp, the 310's engines are practically loafing at 285 hp. A T310R, for example, has a zero fuel weight of 5015 pounds. One of the earmarks of the line's changes concerns horsepower. The proboscis grew 32 inches, and housed a sizable baggage compartment. 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. Because the gear makes the airplane sit up high, new pilots are cautioned to be careful of hard landings. Cessna 210. George, I just did a 182 this summer. 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. Usable fuel capacity can be 100, 132, 142, 182 or 203 gallons-from 600 to 1218 pounds of fuel. Construction - Extra grade fabric used most times best suited for Jet A. Cruise speeds remained around 182 KIAS, while the maximum structural speed was gently bumped from 215 KIAS to 223 KIAS in late models. Zero fuel weight is a payload limitation that confuses some pilots. The Cessna 310 grew up quickly. For pilots who do not meet this experience threshold, the number goes up from $4980 to $7400. I elected to have this done at RAM in Waco, Texas, because of their reputation, which is deserved. Anyone interested in the airplane or the show is invited to call Ed Lachendro at (414) 475-2544. The fact that theres a lot of fuel hanging out on the wingtips tends to exacerbate the side loads on the gear, as well. 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. UPJR740L). With the 240-hp engines, the 310 will turn in cruise speeds of 183 knots (70-percent power at 7,500 feet, burning 25 gallons per hour total) and climb with both engines at better than 1,600 fpm from sea level. 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. I fly the aircraft about 100 hours per year and total hourly expenses have been $178. But wait, theres more. 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. New bladders cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece; refurbishing costs one-quarter to half as much as new. (We do not part out singles.). If you are already a member, please log in. Another tip from the 310 experts: To offset the nose-up pitching moment upon deploying the split flaps, select gear-down simultaneously. 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. Related Products for Cessna 310 1975. All parts are stored in modern warehousing, to preserve their quality. Dont fly again until the blockage is opened. Basic empty weight started at 2840 pounds for the original. 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. If I had the $$, I'd convert mine to a Colemill. The IO-470s used on earlier airplanes are much less likely to develop cracks. Removing and replacing a bladder is not a difficult process. Parts availability has never been a problem. Installation of the tank was pretty easy. 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. When fuel starvation shuts down an engine, the silence is mighty loud. Maximum boost for a sea-level takeoff is a moderate 32 inches. Lineperson: Yes, sir, whereupon the auxiliaries get filled to the brim. 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. Figuring a maximum ramp weight of 5534 pounds, 519 pounds of fuel can be put in the main tanks. 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. It is fairly long and spindly, and more delicate than that of some other airplanes. The latest is a 1976 T-310, purchased new. . A 1981 Piper Aztec (250 HP engines) about $157,000. Costs have been going up, but that speaks more of trends in general aviation economics. Theoretically, its physically and materially possible to field repair a bladder given enough time, diligence and discipline. To improve low-speed handling and stall behavior, the company MicroAero offers vortex generators that are attached to the wings and vertical stabilizers. 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. On approach, some power has to be carried. Each of the latter can accommodate two sets of golf clubs. 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. This 310, with canted tanks, swept fin and short nose, is one of the most attractive light twins ever built. I did have some difficulty loosening the nipples connecting the tank to the fuel outlet and the fuel cell vent. AOPAs Air Safety Foundation further subdivides accidents and incidents into pilot-caused and machine-caused accidents. Cessna didnt stop there. The pilot must remember to fly about 1 hour of fuel out of the mains before switching to aux. More refinements followed: increases in cabin size, further increases in gross weight, various increases in auxiliary tank size and the availability of three-bladed props. Their investigation suggest the seepage is from the top of the bladder. 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. The were some fiberglass tanks made to replace bladders in some Cessnas, but the wing has to come off and the root rib removed to get it into the wing. In one aircraft, maximum payload is 1059 pounds, which can handle six FAA adults (170 pounds) and 39 pounds of baggage. That means the 310 flies like other Cessnas, with the caveats about its greater weight and speed taken into account. Maladies include broken or cracked mounts, support structures, actuator rods, door hinges and actuators, shock struts, and bellcranks. This opened a niche for the Cessna 310 as an ideal ride for a cross-country lover on a tight acquisition budget. 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. I have owned a 1968 310N for the past four yeas. You can guess the rest.