Inside The $500,000 Cessna 310

Inside The $500,000 Cessna 310 0:00 - Intro This is the Cessna 310, a twin-engine marvel that has been a staple in the aviation world since the 1950s. Here is everything you need to know about the Cessna 310. 0:38 - Cabin First off, let’s talk size. The Cessna 310 has got some serious space. We’re talking about a cabin that can comfortably seat four to five passengers, depending on the specific model. The cabin width is approximately 40 inches or 1 meter, and the cabin height is 48 inches or meters. The seats themselves are decked out in high-quality materials. There’s a nose baggage compartment that can hold up to 120 pounds or 55 kilograms, and an aft baggage compartment with a capacity of 50 pounds or 23 kilograms. One of the best features of the cabin is the visibility. The cabin is surrounded by large, clear windows that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The pressurization system is designed to maintain a cabin altitude of 8,000 feet or 2,440 meters when the aircraft is flown at its service ceiling of 20,000 feet or 6,100 meters. 2:35 - Cockpit The cockpit is designed for two pilots, but can be easily managed by a single pilot. The instrument panel is logically arranged, with the six primary flight instruments - airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, vertical speed indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator - in the classic “T“ arrangement. Now, let’s get to the good stuff: the avionics suite. Depending on the model and any aftermarket upgrades, many 310s come equipped with the modern Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. The G1000 NXi system features a high-resolution display for both the Primary Flight Display and the Multi-Function Display. The PFD provides all the primary flight instruments in a digital format, along with additional flight data such as autopilot status, air temperature, and wind data. The MFD provides a wide range of information including moving map navigation, traffic and terrain awareness, weather data, engine performance data, and flight planning functions. It’s like having a command center at your fingertips. One of the standout features of the Garmin G1000 NXi is the Synthetic Vision Technology, which provides a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles, and traffic on the PFD. The cockpit also features a well-designed center console that houses the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls, along with the landing gear and flap controls. In terms of comfort, the cockpit seats are adjustable and upholstered in high-quality materials, providing a comfortable environment for long flights. The cockpit also features large, clear windows that provide excellent visibility in all directions. 4:52 - Engine and Performance Now, let’s talk about how it flies. The 310 is a light twin, but don’t let that fool you. This bird has some serious power under the hood. With two Continental IO-470 engines providing 260 horsepower each, the 310 has a top speed of around 220 knots, a service ceiling of 20,000 feet or 6,100 meters, and a maximum rate of climb per minute of 1,500 feet or 460 meters. Early 310s could manage 415 feet or 126 meters per minute on one engine at maximum gross weight which is 4,700 lbs or 2,130 kg in the 310B. As the maximum weights increased, the single-engine climb rate decreased; the T310R, at its maximum of 5,500 lbs or 2,500 kg, is supposed to ascend at 390 feet or 118 meters per minute at sea level with one feathered. The aircraft requires 1,800 feet or 550 meters of runway to take off at sea level on a standard day. Depending on your power settings, you can expect a fuel burn between 22 and 28 gallons per hour. With a cruise power setting of 23 inches manifold pressure and 2,300 RPM, you’ll see a fuel flow of around 25 gph. This setting will give you a cruise speed of between 165 and 170 knots true airspeed. The aircraft has a maximum range of about 870 nautical miles, which is 1,000 miles or 1,600 kilometers. The aircraft has a minimum landing distance of 1,700 feet or 520 meters, with a useful load of about 2,000 lbs or 900 kg and a full-fuel payload of roughly 750 lbs or 340 kg. The Cessna 310 is a fantastic aircraft for cross-country flights, with a usable fuel capacity of 130 gallons giving it a range of about four hours with a comfortable VFR reserve. 8:45 - Purchase Price and Operating Cost The base purchase price for a pre-owned is $100,000 to $400,000 before options, and while the total yearly fixed cost is roughly $15,000 to $25,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $250 to $400. 9:05 - Outro SUBSCRIBE if you haven’t already! Prop Base is your favorite source for your daily dose of propeller aircraft videos. Subscribe so you don’t miss any videos from us!