Cessna 310 vs Cessna 320

The Cessna 320 Skyknight and Cessna 310 are closely related 1960s light piston twins — the 320 is the turbocharged, higher-altitude development of the 310 with extra cabin windows; the 310 is the lighter, more numerous and better-supported baseline.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 310

No active listings right now.

Cessna 320
For sale now
5
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
1
Source marketplaces
2
Model years available
1963–1967

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Generations Breakdown

Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.

Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.

Cessna 310 — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

Cessna 320 — 2 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 Lycoming O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 105
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 89

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Cessna 310Cessna 320
All events58489
Serious427
Fatal18134
Fatalities35481
% Fatal31%38%

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 310 Cessna 320
View 48 listings →
Median $145,000
Cessna 320
View 5 listings →
Median $105,000
Price Range $19,000 – $270,000 $98,938 – $122,750
Category Multi Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 5 6
Horsepower 240 HP 150–160 HP
Cruise Speed 190 kts (352 km/h) 120–122 kts (226 km/h)
Range 800 nm (1,482 km) 900 nm (1,667 km)
Max Gross Weight 4,830 lbs (2,191 kg) 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load 1,700 lbs (771 kg) 1,800 lbs (816 kg)
Fuel Burn 22.0 GPH (83 L/h)
TBO 1,500 hrs 1,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost $38,000
Annual Fixed $25,000
Hourly Variable $280
Engines 2 x Reciprocating 2 x

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 310

Fuel$121/hr
Variable$280/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $81,000/yr

Cessna 320

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 310 or Cessna 320?

Bottom line: Choose the 310 for the larger fleet, broader parts support and proven light-twin value. Choose the 320 Skyknight for turbocharged high-altitude capability when you can accept a smaller fleet and thinner parts support.

Pick the 310 if…

  • Budget matters — from $19,000 vs $98,938, you save ~$79,938.
  • More inventory — 48 listings vs 5.

Pick the 320 if…

  • More seats — 6 vs 5.
  • Faster cruise — 200 kts vs 190 kts.
  • Longer range — 900 nm vs 800 nm.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Cessna 310 or Cessna 320?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 310 cruises at 190 kts with 800 nm range. The 320 cruises at 200 kts with 900 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 320: from $98,750. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 310 and Cessna 320?
310 engine: Continental O-470-B;O-470-M (240 hp). Seats: 5 vs 6. Cruise: 190 vs 200 kts. Range: 800 vs 900 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
310: about $280/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
310: 5 seats / 1,700 lb useful load. 320: 6 seats / 1,800 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
310: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$38,000. 320: 1,500-hour TBO. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data