All parts are stored in modern warehousing, to preserve their quality. I knew that I would be replacing the engines, and decided that the spoilers would help assure making it to TBO. Experienced and diligent first time installers must strive to achieve a tank installation where the tank bay is clean and prepped to provide an abrasion-free home for the bladder; where steps are taken to insure that any wrinkles in the bladders bottom surface are minimized and where the nipples arent pulled out of position or stretched during installation. Much of it consists of Cessna Dealer Sales Manual material originally penned by him, with some additional supporting articles. Anything between that and maximum ramp weight has to be fuel. Confused? We stock parts for all Cessna Multi-engine airplanes: Copyright 2023 Preferred Airparts. This coupled with the natural rolling tendencies caused by the tip-mounted fuel tanks, can make for a busy few moments immediately following engine failure. Flying the Cessna 310 is, on the other hand, a pleasure. Answer: It is considered one of the best in the twin-engine general aviation category due to its good handling and performance. Local Pickup. The fuel pickup from the mains is at the rear of the tank, which means that it wont get picked up properly during descent. Cessna Flyer Association - Step-by-Step Fuel Cell Replacement Landing gearThe other 310 system that gets a lot of attention is the landing gear. 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. Cessna service manuals refer to BTC-39 cells by Goodyear and US-907, US-943 and US-932 bladders by U.S. Rubber. They had 240 HP Continental O-470 engines housed in very tight and aerodynamic (for the time) cowlings. Then Cessna installed auxiliary tanks in the wings, good for an extra 40 total gallons. The Eagle website contains a long list of hints to make installation and removal easier, and I can tell you that making the bladder more flexible by heating it is a help. 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. Re: Cessna Fuel Bladder replacement, 180/182. For one thing, the all-electric gear is not particularly quick to stow. (Any penetrant type lubricant will do.). Their investigation suggest the seepage is from the top of the bladder. Cessna 180 fuel bladders - Backcountry Pilot Another tip from the 310 experts: To offset the nose-up pitching moment upon deploying the split flaps, select gear-down simultaneously. Noise level, engine wear, and fuel flow are all reduced. 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. In 1954, Cessnas entire model line consisted of the 170, 180 and 195; so, the 310 represented a giant leap forward for the company. 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. I recommend them. Approved repair for all makes and models of: Bladder type fuel cells One Year Warranty, Crash-resistant fuel cells One Year Warranty. What started as a five-place twin became a six-placer with 1963's 310H. I believe the 310 is easier to fly IFR, particularly in bumpy conditions, than a Baron even though the Baron may please a pilot on a VFR day with a lighter control feel. RAP is an FAA Certified Repair Station (CRS no. Cessna 182 Fuel Bladder, Main Tank. The aircraft is certified in the normal category, which means intentional spins and aerobatics are not permitted. One significant difference was the switch from overwing from underwing exhaust on the 310I, and the accompanying introduction of wing lockers. By the time the last Cessna 310, a Model T310R, left the production line, it had a base price of $259915. Fuel Bladders vs Wet Wing | Pilots of America 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. Vacuum Pump Failure. Installation of the tank was pretty easy. 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. Ask any line person where the main tanks are on a given airplane, and its likely theyll point to the wing. 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. 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. tens of thousands for twins. The normally aspirated models are happiest in the low teens, while the turbos have service ceilings in the mid-20s. 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. Hes a former tech rep and editor for Cessna Pilots Association and served as associate editor for AOPA Pilot until 2008. 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. Short-field performance is quite good on paper. The twin rearview windows were removed from the 1965 Cessna 310K onwards in favor of a large single one to improve visibility. In fact, the current owner of the third and final 310 used in the show (a 1967 D model), Songbird III, wrote to tell us that its being fully restored. 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. Baggage capacity grew according to the aircrafts capabilities, going from 200 lbs to 600 lbs. 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. For pilots who do not meet this experience threshold, the number goes up from $4980 to $7400. The result is an Belvoir Media Group, LLC. While Cessna president Dwane Wallace built an aircraft for the business flier, the actual demographic taking the Model 310 to the skies today has changed a lot since then. Thats not the only tricky thing about the 310s fuel system. I find that burning about 20 gal. 1975 Cessna T-310R for sale - hangar67.com All the T310s come with Garrett turbochargers and automatic wastegates and are conservatively boosted. First came 20-gallon wing-mounted bladders, followed by an additional 11.5-gallon . 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. 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. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. The 310 was built through the 1957 model year. By the 310I, cubic feet available certainly began to exceed the lifting and weight-and-balance capacity of the airplane. The airplane can also be a handful to fly, though pilots note that with proper training and due diligence, it can make a good IFR platform. You can guess the rest. The tanks are generally filled after each flight. We typically remove the aft two seats (very easy to do), leaving a cavernous baggage area along with the two wing lockers. Int. In the meantime, Jamie passes all of his knowledge about flying, planes, and flight simulators on to the readers at Aviator Insider. Compare this to the Beech light twins, which began with 180-hp Lycomings in the Travel Air and culminated (imploded, some say) with a pair of turbocharged 380-hp monsters in the 56TC. Pitch response is heaviest, roll the lightest, with generally good stick force per G and longitudinal stability. Cessna Models - 210 Models - Fuel Cell/ Bladder - Knots 2U Spins and aerobatic maneuvers are not permitted in normal category airplanes. Older tuna-tank models had a lot of problems with their fuel bladders, but this was dealt with through an AD. Over the years, Jamie has gained an incredible amount of knowledge and hopes to start his PPL as soon as his degree is finished. 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. First, all 310s suck more fuel from the tanks than the engines will use; both the pressure carburetor and fuel injection models have a return line from the engine compartments. 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. Fuel systemAll of those responding to our request for feedback felt the need to point out that the 310s fuel system has gotten a bad rap, and that its not as tough to deal with as people think. 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. According to aviation insurance brokers BWI FLY, annual insurance costs for a standard Cessna 310 model total between $3456 and $5270, assuming a pilot with a PPL, 1500 hours of which 500 are in multi-engine aircraft, and 50 in the Model 310 family. Ells is the owner of Ells Aviation and lives in Paso Robles, Calif. with his wife Audrey. In line with many 1950s Cessna products, the cockpits were not originally arranged in the now-classic basic-T configuration, which can be ergonomically challenging for pilots used to it. Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Where some versions of the TSIO-520 have been pushed to 325 hp, the 310's engines are practically loafing at 285 hp. When fuel starvation shuts down an engine, the silence is mighty loud. This position is set for what Cessna believed to be the most common weight settings for normal operations, and thus most take-offs will be made with trim set slightly ahead or behind it but never too far from it. 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. Yes, we're talking tuna tanks, those slightly clunky vessels at the ends of the wings, slated to hold 50 gallons of fuel each. Fuel feeds to the engines from either the mains or the aux tanks (but not the wing locker tanks). Cessna 310 - 26 Years of Consistency - General Aviation In the event of a fuel pump or engine failure, the aux tank on that side becomes uselessno crossfeed from the aux tanks, and no transfer is possible. Pilots report that real-world operations arent as good as these numbers would have you believe. Calculating climb to cruise altitude of 12000 feet, this allows just under three hours of flight plus reserve at 65% power. Cessna 310 - AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Putting the main tanks all the way out on the wing tips means long fuel lines, and the large number of tanks, drains and pumps means a lot of fittings that can leak. Flaps were of the split type for aerodynamic efficiency (no external flap brackets), and the gear was of electromechanical design. Among the more noteworthy ones are the Riley Rocket 310 and Riley Turbostream 310, by aeronautical engineer Jack Riley. The torque specs for the 10-32 and -28 screws and bolts used to complete the installation were printed on the bladder and are on the suppliers websites. LH MAIN EXTENDED RANGE . Then the rubber of each nipple can be softened by wrapping it in a towel or rag thats been dipped in hot water. from the aux. The market treats the various 310s pretty evenly: theres no real marked jump with model changes as often happens. 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. Cessna part 1200065-5 Fuel Cell. This website contains many older reviews. Answer: The nominal range for an early Cessna 310 is 870 nautical miles, but this can be significantly expanded with additional fuel tank options. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry product pricing from the time of the original review. Another scenario goes like thisPilot: Top off the mains, please. 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. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. FFC constructions meet the Technical Standard TSO-C80 . Air Cargo Fuel Bladder Tanks - Air Transport - TurtlePac The Cessna 310 is an American four-to-six-seat, low-wing, twin-engine monoplane produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. . These characteristics were a perfect match for business fliers, who needed to be across the country on short notice to do their thing. 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. New bladders cost between $800 and $1,000 apiece; refurbishing costs one-quarter to half as much as new. For the budget-minded, an early 310 can be a (relatively) inexpensive entry to the world of twin engines. Unique angled tie downs secure bladder tanks for airplanes to fwd 9G plus force safely. Float & Fuel Cells - Cessna Fuel burn varies with model, but figure about 31 GPH for the later versions. 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. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,087 kg. It is fairly long and spindly, and more delicate than that of some other airplanes. HOME | ABOUT | REPAIR | WARRANTY | DOCUMENTS | REQUEST FOR QUOTE. LH Main Tank. However, Ive never seen this done nor was I able to find any information about the repair kits and adhesives referred to in the manuals. (We do not part out singles.). Prices have a very smooth increase between variants, starting at a mere $30000 for early aircraft and going up to $148000 for a turbocharged Cessna T310R, according to the 2019 issue of the Aircraft Bluebook. 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. The Hartzell three-blade propellers have also been commonly installed in regular Cessna 310 units without further engine modifications. The latest is a 1976 T-310, purchased new. These pumps are wired to the landing light circuit breaker, so if the landing light shorts the mains can unport. 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. If you hear an inrush of air its a signal that the vent system is blocked. After draining all the fuel from the right tank I started preparing the bladder for removal. In the single-engine category, the 310 also performs reasonably well, however few light twins are truly spectacular with one engine inoperative. Long, strong arms are required. If this is done properly, trouble can be avoided, but failure to treat the gear right increases the odds of failure dramatically. Theres a STOL kit available from Sierra Industries, but the cost is so high that its value is questionable. 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? Many were retrofitted with the later, and better, Clevelands. According to information on both Eagles and FFCs websites, only the US-943 is a candidate for repair. Send questions and comments to . Engine Driven Fuel Pump Failure. Removal and replacement labor usually runs between 10 and 12 hours. The 310s system on airplanes with all the optional tanks is certainly more complicated than most, and it does have a number of idiosyncrasies not shared by other airplanes. setTimeout(function(){document.getElementById("CountryId").dispatchEvent(new Event("change"));},50); When you smell fuel outside the airplane for an hour or two after topping off the fuel but not when the fuel level is down, the most likely cause is age-related deterioration of the top of your bladder. 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. 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. 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. Free shipping for many products! Obstruction or Icing of Static Source. According to owners and 310 support groups, parts are readily available for the airplane, although, as is true with any model these days, the costs can be dear. Still, for a twin-engine aircraft, the Cessna 310 performs reasonably with only one running. 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. PROVEN IN THE JUNGLES OF PNG. I have owned a 1968 310N for the past four yeas. Overall, a good package of background information.]. The tip tanks are made from aluminum and contain two pumps, auxiliary and transfer. Shortly after I purchased my 310, I put on vortex generators, which are a must with this airplane. 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. 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. Owner CommentsI have owned three turbocharged Cessna 310s. I've flown mine 4.5 hours but I have IO-470's. You'll hit bladder limits before airplane range limits. 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. Then I renewed the bay tape where necessary. Fri May 01, 2020 10:14 pm. Come join us! The props are subject to a couple of ADs: these include the infamous McCauley prop inspection AD (95-24-05) and 94-17-3, repetitive inspection of the prop hub grease fittings. The locker tanks are placed in the wing baggage area at a capacity penalty. 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 new FAA certified 900-HP Daher Kodiak 900 turboprop single combines TBM 960 and Kodiak 100 DNA into one airplane. Jamie comes from a long line of military and civilian pilots! Newer model 310s benefited from a one-year warranty on the airframe, the avionics, and the engine. Other variations on the 310 theme will tip you off to the airplane's age. When the Cessna 310 was first introduced in 1954, the aviation industry was immersed in the aftermath of two major wars. Landing over a 50-foot obstacle in a 310R will consume 1790 feet, compared to a 58 Barons 2498.