Still, for a twin-engine aircraft, the Cessna 310 performs reasonably with only one running. Several variants of the IO-470 were used through the 1975 model year in the 310Q. 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. 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. 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. 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. I have owned a 1968 310N for the past four yeas. As for advice, I strongly recommend membership in the Twin Cessna Flyer organization. The auxiliary tanks, in turn, are fuel bladders placed between the wing spars and the outboard part. With the stretched cabin of the 1963 310H, more baggage space was opened up.
Cessna Fuel Bladders? - Backcountry Pilot This lesson ought to be clear: Carefully and thoroughly inspect the gear system on any 310 considered for purchase. Weight gain from upgrades brought this down to 390 fpm at sea level by the time production ended.
1975 Cessna T-310R for sale - hangar67.com But there are things to be careful of when considering a 310. This has kept prices down over time. 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. Second, is the locker-tank scheme. Last year my factory gold medallion remans were about 50 hours past TBO when the latest McCauley prop AD for this model left me with no realistic choice but to replace both props. Starting on with the Cessna 310I, these were replaced by conventional exhaust plumbing. 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. Approved repair for all makes and models of: Bladder type fuel cells One Year Warranty, Crash-resistant fuel cells One Year Warranty. Steve Ells has been an A&P/IA for 39 years and is a commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. 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. Remember, also, that the cost of maintaining an airplane like the 310 is keyed more to its health and the price of parts than the purchase price. In 1975 a big change occurred with the 310R II and T-310R II. These brought marginal gains in cruise and top speed but became extremely popular due to the advantages incurred during take-offs and climbs. But wait, theres more. LoadingUp through the 310G, the series is about average for baggage space (about average means frequently having to carry some in the cabin). Copyright 2023 Aviator Insider | A Topsail Media Company | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. The more limited performance of Pipers offerings reflected positively on the price, however: the Apache and Twin Comanche were cheaper to both buy and operate, which made it more attractive than the Cessna for many pilots who did not necessarily need all the speed and range provided by the Model 310. And although the system worked, exhaust gases, being quite corrosive, wreaked havoc on the wing structure. All the T310s come with Garrett turbochargers and automatic wastegates and are conservatively boosted. [CDATA[
The IO-470s used on earlier airplanes are much less likely to develop cracks. C-310s with lots of avionics and other options compound the loading exercise. The wingtip fuel tanks on the original Cessna 310 carried a total of 100 gallons of fuel. Figuring a maximum ramp weight of 5534 pounds, 519 pounds of fuel can be put in the main tanks. That's actually a bit amazing, considering the overall age of the fleet and the complexity of the machines. As mentioned above, the long gear legs make the airplane sit much higher than some pilots are used to. 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. Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. This opened a niche for the Cessna 310 as an ideal ride for a cross-country lover on a tight acquisition budget. Takeoff over that same obstacle will take 1700 feet in the 310, while the Baron will want 2100 feet. Flying an aircraft with a weakened bladder negates this safety feature.
Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 310 - Aviation Consumer The optional wing locker fuel tanks are located in the forward portion of each wing locker baggage area. The most recent type-specific AD, 90-02-13, covers the main landing gear barrel inner bearings. It greatly eases the task of loading and arranging aft baggage. In 1954, Cessnas entire model line consisted of the 170, 180 and 195; so, the 310 represented a giant leap forward for the company. It is easy to load the airplane, and roughly the same luggage and people which will fit in a full size Chrysler Minivan will fit in the 310, although fuel must be sacrificed to avoid departing over gross. Most airplanes have just one of these, and its contents cannot be consumed directly by the engines. Turbo models in particular have failure-prone exhaust systems, and are subject to a 50-hour visual inspection AD, 75-23-8.
Cessna Fuel Bladder replacement, 180/182 - Backcountry Pilot The Model 310Q and its turbocharged version, the T310Q, redesigned the cabins rear to include a new window design. 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. Cabin size was increased, along with gross weight. However, this connection returns fuel only to the main tank on the same side as the engine. One simple tool that every Cessna owner should use before every flight is a fuel quantity dipstickits a surefire way to determine if the floor of the bladder is out of position and to determine the actual fuel level in bladder tanks. UPJR740L). The Cessna 310's full-fuel payload varies depending upon the model, equipment and fuel tank arrangement. // Cessna 310 D | AirplanesUSA Though the PA-23 would later be a direct competitor to the 310, the original Apache was far down the scale on power. What started as a five-place twin became a six-placer with 1963's 310H. 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. When vents are blocked its not unusual for the floor of the bladder to be pulled up. It starts with nomenclature. If I had the $$, I'd convert mine to a Colemill. 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. At the other extreme of the line, the last models of the 310 can be counted on to perform transportation duties with the capability of newer models, and the prices reflect this ability. Cessna introduced their canted Stabila-Tip tanks, said to be more aerodynamically efficient than the old tanks. Cessna part 1200065-5 Fuel Cell. Payload with full fuel varies depending upon the model, equipment and fuel tank arrangement. This can be avoided by minimizing aileron inputs and balancing the aircraft with rudder. The fact that theres a lot of fuel hanging out on the wingtips tends to exacerbate the side loads on the gear, as well. 1976 Cessna 182P in very good condition located in Southern California presently at KAJO Corona, CA Airport. The pilot must remember to fly about 1 hour of fuel out of the mains before switching to aux. The tip tanks became twin Cessna hallmark. Many callers are desperate for 310 information, with questions about the exhaust, landing gear, engine models and fuel system. Unlike many airplanes with long production runs, the 310 went through steady refinement over the years, with a slew of designation letters following the model number. Starting with pressure-carbureted 240-hp O-470 Continentals, the 310 gained real fuel injection and an additional 20 hp per side with the C model, in 1959. 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. LH Main Tank. Cells are evaluated, repaired, and returned to service in accordance with US AIRFORCE TO-1-1-3 or NAVAIR 01-1A-35. Non-turbocharged models were on offer for around $200000. PerformanceThis is a strong point of the 310. 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. 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. The next significant change was in 1962, with the 310G. Also available are engine and prop upgrades from Colemill Enterprises for the 310F through Q, which carry with them gross weight increases. The Insight GEM is a valuable addition and permits more accurate leaning by far than a single probe system. Each engine is equipped with a mechanically driven fuel pump which provides fuel to the metering unit. 91 or F.A.R 135. That hot, dry climate went a long way in allaying my concerns about corrosion in the airframe. The T-310P had 285 HP Continental TSIO-520-B engines, standard three-bladed props and a 5400-pound gross weight, compared to the 310Ps 260-HP IO-470V Continentals, optional three-bladed props and 5200-pound gross. This model drew upon the established 55 Baron and added a stretched fuselage, paired with the same O-470 family that powered the Cessna 310. Cessna didnt stop there. It exceeds 3000 pounds by the 310C, nears 3200 in the 310P and exceeds 3600 in the 310R (turbo models are heavier still).
An additional cabin window was introduced with the Model 310F. In my opinion, the 310 is the ideal light twin, with reasonable single engine performance, safety, looks, comfort, and range. Featured Refinements: Cessna 310 - Remove Filter; Featured Refinements. 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. Aero Tech does custom work for ferry tanks, off-road vehicles and marine applications. My advice to 310 buyers: Treat the acquisition process seriously. 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. 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. Hangaring an aircraft is the most effective method for preserving its fuel bladders. These are managed via a fuel flow selector with main, auxiliary, and crossfeed positions. George, I just did a 182 this summer. These tanks are bladder-type cells located between the spars in the outboard wing. RAP provides a fast response time with very extensive aircraft fuel cell repair capabilities. Cessna flyers are part of the largest general aviation family in the world and have access to massive clubs as a result. 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. When the main reaches capacity from the return fuel, any excess is sent overboard, and you can't cross-feed auxiliary fuel. 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. 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. Although my remans started immediately, ran smoothly, and used very little oil (about 1 qt.
Cessna 310 for sale | eBay The market treats the various 310s pretty evenly: theres no real marked jump with model changes as often happens. 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 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. 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. Joined: Jan 13, 2010 Messages: 20,655 Location: Denton, TX
Cessna 310 - Aviation Consumer document.getElementById("CountryId").value = 1;
Also With This ArticleClick here to view the Cessna 310 features guide.Click here to view charts for Resale Values, Payload Compared and Prices Compared. LH Main Tank. HistoryThe 310 was introduced in 1954, a year after Pipers PA-23 Apache. MaintenanceA scan of Service Difficulty Reports shows, not surprisingly, that the majority of squawks arise from the landing gear. First came 20-gallon wing-mounted bladders, followed by an additional 11.5-gallon . Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. One of my bladders was replaced in 2002, and my other one is just starting to leak a bit now. Maximum boost for a sea-level takeoff is a moderate 32 inches. The first 310s, built in 1954, were sold as 1955 models. Finally, the auxiliary tanks were enlarged once more, in 1973, to 63 gallons total. The excess is pumped back to the mains and overboard if there isnt room. The 310 is a hefty airplane, particularly in its later variants. 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. All of the major bladder repair companies offer a test and advise option that clarifies the repair/new decision. With all tanks installed and full, on the other hand, it can haul a couple of people and some baggage more than 1200 NM, again at 65% power. Long Range. 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. Contains fuel resistant O-rings as called out in the manual and the valve plate gasket. Obstruction or Icing of Static Source. Due to its popularity and longevity, many modifications and upgrade kits were designed around the Cessna 310 family. Because the gear makes the airplane sit up high, new pilots are cautioned to be careful of hard landings. 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. 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. You could say that it has substantial roll inertia. Naturally, the turbocharged 310s are the quickest, showing 198 knots at 10,000 feet (on 74 percent and 31 gph) and 220 knots at 20,000 feet with the same settings. Cessna 210. And the 310 needed help in this department, what with 300 pounds of avgas way out there on the wing. It applies to the 310, 340 and all piston-powered 400 series Cessnas except those with trailing link main gear. Long Range. Still, the target audience had not changed, and thus it never quite managed to rival the Cessna 310 at home turf. I've flown mine 4.5 hours but I have IO-470's. You'll hit bladder limits before airplane range limits. These devices help by making the airflow more turbulent at high angles of attack, which in turn makes it stick better to the lift and control surfaces. Also, new threadless blade propellers were standard; each is six pounds lighter than the previous prop, for a total of 12 pounds per aircraft. Then Cessna installed auxiliary tanks in the wings, good for an extra 40 total gallons. The wing locker fuel tanks now have tear-resistant bladders and a new metal containment canister. During the more critical phases of flight like take-offs and landings, these make for a much safer ride for the pilot, particularly in emergencies like a single-engine failure. These tanks are bladder-type cells which supplement the main tank fuel quantity. 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. We can make life a lot easier for you if you own a Twin Cessna! Beyond the broader clubs, a popular option among Model 310 owners is The Twin Cessna Flyers. 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. Theres no separate gauge for each tank, though the gauge does switch automatically to read the tank being used (but not the wing locker tanks, which have no fuel level senders). 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.
Cessna Flyer Association - HiFuel Bladders - replace both at same time 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. Long Range. Owners of T310s who want engine upgrades can get them from RAM Aircraft. Yes, we're talking tuna tanks, those slightly clunky vessels at the ends of the wings, slated to hold 50 gallons of fuel each.
Cessna 180 fuel bladders - Backcountry Pilot RH MAIN STANDARD RANGE; 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? Power is provided by the Continental O-470 family of engines for most models, though not exclusively. The increase in weight came with a penalty in stall speeds: when clean, these went from 73 KIAS on the Cessna 310D to 79 KIAS on the Cessna 310R, while in landing configuration, they went from 64 KIAS to 72 KIAS. Early production models up to 1964 are known to have a noisier cabin than other units. This should be a mandatory investment for all R owners. I think FFC in Memphis makes their's out of the same material and maybe some others. Buying Format. Thats not the only tricky thing about the 310s fuel system. Cabin size was increased, along with gross weight. The keys to getting great bladder service life start with the installation. LH MAIN EXTENDED RANGE . All Listings filter applied; Delivery Options. if(document.URL.indexOf("/register") > -1){
The pilot then takes off without checking, and with the fuel selectors on the main (tip) tanks as required in the POH. A welcome side-effect of their installation is that they are quieter than the original two-blade units installed. Anything between that and maximum ramp weight has to be fuel. Made o Used Goodies!We have a nice supply ofthese systems and parts: Engine accessories of all types are in stock, along with many other rotables. This was considered a middle-ground price at the time, but certainly, a jump from the Piper Apache sold for $40000. ATSs Danielle Murphy told us that they try to apply some sort of discount on every sale. Two main traps await the unwary 310 driver. 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.
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. RAP is an FAA Certified Repair Station (CRS no. All rights reserved. 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 Whether these make it hard to deal with depends on your point of view. 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. 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. 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 those tanks can carry a great deal of fuel, making for six-hour endurance in later models. Free shipping for many products! For pilots who do not meet this experience threshold, the number goes up from $4980 to $7400. Construction - Extra grade fabric used most times best suited for Jet A. The flap and engine exhaust configuration makes corrosion a problem which must be monitored continuously and treated when necessary. 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 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. Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. 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. New bladders cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece; refurbishing costs one-quarter to half as much as new. Cessna was moving aggressively into the business market, and the 310 was a key part, and first element, of that plan. 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 caveat is that this figure came about after extensive work to restore the aircraft after some years of abandon prior to Cawleys ownership. Wing locker tanks, each with 20 gallons total capacity, became options with the 1967 models. Instead, locker fuel must be pumped to the corresponding main tank. The Hartzell three-blade propellers have also been commonly installed in regular Cessna 310 units without further engine modifications. Bladders work fine if they're properly installed and cared for. 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. 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. Related Products for Cessna 310 1975. Usable fuel capacity can be 100, 132, 142, 182 or 203 gallons-from 600 to 1218 pounds of fuel. The Cessna 310 is an American four-to-six-seat, low-wing, twin-engine monoplane produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. . I knew that I would be replacing the engines, and decided that the spoilers would help assure making it to TBO. Operators say the T310s work best in the high teens. horsepower increased and so did demands for fuel. 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. Control Surfaces!Fresh repaired, exchange, no patches. The optional auxiliary tanks are available in two sizes. By the 310I, cubic feet available certainly began to exceed the lifting and weight-and-balance capacity of the airplane. Engine Driven Fuel Pump Failure. To improve low-speed handling and stall behavior, the company MicroAero offers vortex generators that are attached to the wings and vertical stabilizers. Reliance AeroProducts International is a FAA Certified Repair Station and provider of fuel cell repairs and re-certifications. The airplane is approved for day and night VFR/IFR operations when equipped in accordance with F.A.R. View cart for details. Costs have been going up, but that speaks more of trends in general aviation economics. 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. Despite its recent appreciation, I believe the 310 remains one of the best values on the used aircraft market. tanks because the engine driven fuel pumps feed more fuel to the engines than they can use except at the highest power settings. Cessna 210. Marine Boat Fuel Bladders; Flexible Water Diesel Holding Yacht Tanks; . Commit to excellent maintenance and pilot proficiency and youll enjoy one of general aviations great airplanes.
Cessna 310 true cost of ownership | Pilots of America Occasionally I consider trading up to a 414 or a 421, but the marginal benefits of the air-stair door and pressurization compared with the tremendous cost differential dont make them worth it. Call us today at 1-817-453-8829 for Fuel Bladder Repair! Dan Dan Thomas, Dec 29, 2013 #2 AggieMike88 Touchdown! The airplane is powered by two horizontally opposed, six cylinder, direct drive, normally aspirated, air cooled, fuel injected engines. Pitch response is heavier, with light roll controls and good longitudinal stability. His brother, father, and grandfather are all pilots. I did have some difficulty loosening the nipples connecting the tank to the fuel outlet and the fuel cell vent. So-called "Stabila Tips," with an upward cant, arrived with the 1963 G model. 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. Removal and replacement labor usually runs between 10 and 12 hours.
Condition. 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. The early models can deliver cruise speeds of 175 KTAS, and the later ones better than 190 if needed. 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. In one aircraft, maximum payload is 1059 pounds, which can handle six FAA adults (170 pounds) and 39 pounds of baggage. These consisted of damage to mounts, supporting structures, actuators, and doors, several of which led to partial or full landing gear failure. Fuel flows at the rate of eight gallons per hour.
Fuel Bladder Leaks: Why Repairs Make Sense - Aviation Consumer