How Far Can A Cessna 310 Fly

One of the most popular planes is the Cessna 310 because it is practical and reliable, but due to its small size, you should also know how far it can fly.

Gearing up for a flight in a Cessna 310 is a great idea unless you are trying to travel too far for it to handle. This would lead to risks and delays, causing you to land early to get more fuel and cost you even more money.

The Cessna 310 can fly about 800 miles assuming you are using the base model with a fuel capacity of 102 gallons and a gross weight capacity of 4,700 pounds. Other Cessna models like the 310R have upgrades to hold more fuel and weight for flight distances between 568-1,303 miles.

If you enjoy learning more about monoplanes like the Cessna 310, you are in the right place because we explain precisely how this twin-engine plane works. This guide also looks at the different 310 models built and what type of features they can provide. It is also critical to know about speed, altitude, weight, and durability.

With years of industry expertise working with small planes, all research and data used in this guide were compiled through personal experience or directly from the technical specifications provided by Cessna.

‍How Far Can A Cessna 310 Fly?

The Cessna 310 is a four-to-six-seater low-wing plane with a twin-engine design. It was created in 1954 for private use and no longer remains in production. However, there are still plenty being used in circulation.

Because it is an older design, it will not be the most impressive choice when talking about speed, distance, or efficiency. But it can still provide solid flying support for up to 1,000 miles, depending on a few factors.

There are many different Cessna 310 variants too. Cessna states the gross weight of the standard 310 is 4,700 pounds and has a fuel capacity ranging between 102 gallons, meaning it can fly 800 miles. This impacts the look, feel, and performance of the plane.

The Cessna 310R is the latest production model, hitting the market in 1975, with improved performance and a more refined design. It also includes better flight distance and fuel capacity.

This model weighs 5,500 pounds with a fuel capacity of 102-207 gallons and a flight range of 568-1,303 miles. All other factors and features, like top speed and cruise speed, are almost identical between the two models.

How Much Fuel Does A Cessna 310 Burn?

The Cessna 310 is a popular aircraft used for personal and recreational purposes. You can expect a cruising speed of 213-224 MPH on all models and a top speed of 237-273 MPH.

This is important because the speed of a Cessna plane significantly impacts how quickly it burns fuel. And fuel burn directly affects the range of an aircraft because when fuel gets low, the plane must land.

On average, the Cessna 310 burns 25-28 gallons of fuel per hour, assuming it is flying at its recommended cruising speed. If your Cessna 310 holds 102 gallons of fuel, you can fly for about 4 hours.

If you are flying at your cruising speed of 213 MPH, you can hit the 800-mile mark before it is time for you to land the plane when fuel gets low.

The distance nearly doubles for the larger fuel tank Cessna 310R models.

Factors That Impact How Far a Cessna 310 Can Fly

Because the Cessna 310 is a compact plane with a very specific design, a few factors can change the plane's entire performance. This includes fuel, weight, cruise speed, wind, and weather.

While you can adjust for these factors, they will still impact how you burn fuel and what the maximum distance the aircraft can fly is. So we recommend learning about each of them before your next flight.

Fuel

Fuel is the number one factor that impacts how far any plane, like the Cessna 310, can fly. Once you run low on fuel, it is time to land the plane and fuel up again.

This is especially true for smaller planes like this one. They have limited fuel and weight capacity.

The other thing to consider is the plane's altitude and how high a Cessna can fly because when you reach higher heights, the air is thinner, and fuel economy improves.

Weight

The weight of the Cessna 310 plane impacts how far it can fly because it burns fuel faster when it is heavier. This is because the aircraft has to carry more fuel to take off when its weight is higher.

For example, the maximum gross weight of the 310 is 4,700 pounds. If you fill-up the fuel tank and add extra cargo to come close to or exceed this limit, fuel will burn faster, and the flight distance will decrease.

Cruise Speed

The cruise speed also impacts your fuel efficiency and how far you can fly this plane. When you abide by the recommended speed, you can plan your trips better because you know how many miles per gallon will be used.

If you speed up more, fuel will burn faster. However, you also can fly slower and use a little less gas but going too slow also presents risks.

Wind & Weather

The wind and weather are the final factors to consider when analyzing how far a plane like the Cessna 310 will fly. If there are heavy winds, it will slow you down and cause the aircraft to work harder to reach proper speed.

This leads to faster fuel burn and shorter flight distances. For this reason, the wind is arguably the most critical thing a pilot must analyze before and during each flight.

How Does Cessna 310 Flight Distance Compare To Other Models?

The original Cessna 310 was made between 1954-1957, and only 547 planes were built. This is the most basic of the models in terms of speed and efficiency because of the two 240-hp Continental O-470-B engines.

If you compare this model to some of the newer ones created 20 years later, like the Cessna 310R, you will notice a big difference in efficiency. This plane uses a standard 3-blade propeller and 285 hp Continental IO-520-M engine.

The additional weight and fuel capacity are massive upgrades as well. Another similar model includes the T310R, which is basically the 310R but with a supercharged engine for more speed.

The Cessna 310 is a solid plane, but after 60 years and only 547 planes ever built, it is pretty rare to find these days.

Is The Cessna 310 A Good Plane?

The Cessna 310 is a small, low-wing twin-engine monoplane that can be used for short-haul flights. It was the first ever Cessna aircraft to use a twin-engine design.

This plane also has an excellent track record with very few reported problems. But it is worth noting that slowing down too much can be quite risky and is the only risk to keep in mind as a pilot of this aircraft.

The riding experience is generally smooth, and the plane can handle turbulence quite easily. It glides with maximum comfort, and the design is advanced despite it being built in the 1950s.

The low upfront cost is another reason why it is worth considering. For the price, you get your hands on a reliable aircraft that can handle short-haul flights regularly.