Cessna 310R Aircraft in South Carolina

← Cessna 310 family

The Cessna 310R is the final and most refined 310 (1975-1980) — the longest-fuselage, highest-useful-load version of Cessna's classic light twin, with 285-hp Continental IO-520 engines and a ~195-kt cruise. It is the 310 to want for cabin travel with twin redundancy, which is why clean R models hold value. The cost story is twin maintenance and fuel; a thorough pre-buy on both engines and the fuel system is essential.

Cessna 310R aircraft for sale

1 used Cessna 310R aircraft for sale in South Carolina · 6-seat · Used median asking $188,000 · updated yesterday

Cessna 310R Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 310R is a 6-seat multi engine piston with a cruise speed of 185–220 kt (343–407 km/h), a range of 800–1,000 nm (1,482–1,852 km), and a useful load of 1,700–1,900 lbs (771–862 kg).

Performance
Cruise185–220 kt (343–407 km/h)
Max Speed195–240 kt (361–444 km/h)
Range800–1,000 nm (1,482–1,852 km)
Service Ceiling20,000–30,000 ft (6,096–9,144 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineCONTINENTAL IO-520-MB
Horsepower240–285 HP
Fuel Capacity100.0–102.0 gal (378–386 L)
Fuel Burn22.0–32.0 GPH (83–121 L/h)
TBO1,400–1,700 hrs
ICAO TypeC310
Weights & Seats
Seats5–6
Max Gross Weight4,830–5,500 lbs (2,191–2,495 kg)
Useful Load1,700–1,900 lbs (771–862 kg)
Production1975–1980

Cessna 310R for Sale

Cessna 310R asking prices range from $90,000 to $270,000, with a median of $188,000.

1976 Cessna 310R

1976 Cessna 310R for sale
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 9,390
Reg# N1280G US
Location SC
Via Gaither Aviation Brokerage and Sales

Cessna 310R Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
310 1956–1982 5 190 kts (352 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) $84K – $229K Choose the normally aspirated 310 for the most affordable entry into a fast, classic light twin — a late 310R is the most refined and capable. Choose the T310 turbo for high-altitude and high-density-altitude performance, at higher maintenance cost. 12
310F 1961–1962 5 185 kts (343 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) — An early-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 3
310J 1963–1965 6 190 kts (352 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) — A mid-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 1
310L 1966–1967 6 193 kts (357 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,700 lbs (771 kg) $132K – $189K A mid-1960s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at the affordable end of the 310 range. 4
T310 1969–1980 6 200 kts (370 km/h) 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,800 lbs (816 kg) — Choose the T310 for turbocharged, high-altitude 310-family twin performance without the pressurized-cabin cost of the 340. 1
310Q 1970–1975 6 195 kts (361 km/h) 900 nm (1,667 km) 1,800 lbs (816 kg) $79K – $194K An early-1970s Cessna light twin — a fast four-to-six-seat aircraft with classic wing-tip tanks at a mid-range point in the 310 line. 5
T310R 1975–1981 6 220 kts (407 km/h) 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,900 lbs (862 kg) $175K – $250K The turbocharged, most-refined Cessna 310 — a fast six-seat light twin with high-altitude performance for capable cross-country travel. 6

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Cessna 310R Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 310R cost? Used 310R prices: $90K – $270K, average $188K (median $188K), across 6 priced of 1 active listings.

Cessna 310R Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 310R Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (26.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$16,120/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$30,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$320/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,700 hrs)$35,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Two Continental IO-520-MB engines at around 26 gph combined make the 310R one of the thirstier classic piston twins to operate. Two overhaul events, doubled ignition inspection, two prop governors, and the retractable-gear hydraulics compose the maintenance budget. Insurance reflects the multi-engine pilot-in-command requirement and the aircraft's complexity. Engine condition on both sides is the decisive value driver - a low-price 310R with mismatched or run-out engines is usually the expensive one. Keep both engines on the same maintenance schedule to avoid asymmetric-condition risk.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 310R

Buying a Cessna 310R comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 310R is the final and largest of the classic 310 twins - a six-seat, retractable-gear piston twin (1975-1981) with two 285-hp Continental IO-520-MB engines, cruising around 195 knots with roughly 1,900 lbs useful load. It is the most developed 310: a longer nose adds baggage capacity, and it carries more payload than earlier 310s while keeping the line's signature speed.

The most capable classic 310. Among the normally aspirated 310 line, the R is the one buyers most often seek - highest useful load, most baggage volume, and the most refined systems. For high-and-hot or high-altitude missions the turbocharged T310R is the separate option; the 310R is the normally aspirated flagship.

Conventional-twin handling. The 310R is a conventional twin: an engine failure creates asymmetric thrust requiring immediate rudder input and Vmc awareness. It demands proper multi-engine training and currency - capable and reliable with a well-trained crew, but unforgiving without one.

Two IO-520 engines. At around 26 gph combined, the two IO-520s are the primary operating cost. Both need synchronized maintenance, overhaul planning, and separate ignition work; engine condition on both sides is the critical pre-buy item, along with the retractable-gear hydraulic system.

Buy it if you need six seats with near-200-knot cruise, large useful load, and twin-engine redundancy, hold a multi-engine rating with conventional-twin competency, and can sustain the economics of two IO-520 engines.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 310R

About the Cessna 310R
The Cessna 310R was produced approximately 1975–1980 and is the most numerously produced 310 variant. The naturally aspirated 310R uses two Continental IO-520-M engines (285 hp each); the turbocharged T310R uses the TSIO-520. The 310R features a swept tail, wingtip fuel tanks, and an updated interior — the mature expression of the 310 platform after two decades of production.
What makes the 310R the preferred 310 variant?
Production volume means more 310Rs on the market than any other 310 letter, supporting better parts availability, more maintenance familiarity among shops, and a deeper used-market pool. The swept tail and wingtip fuel tanks are aerodynamically cleaner than earlier 310s. The 310R represents the mature, refined 310 — known issues addressed through incremental development.
310R vs T310R — naturally aspirated or turbocharged?
The T310R adds turbocharging, maintaining sea-level power at altitude for better high-altitude cruise and mountain performance. The naturally aspirated 310R is simpler to maintain — no turbocharger to service or overhaul — and adequate for low-to-mid-altitude operations. Step to the T310R if missions regularly require cruise above 8,000–10,000 ft or high-density-altitude departures; stay with the 310R for coastal and flat-country operations.
What to inspect on a used 310R?
Continental IO-520-M health on both engines (compression, magnetos, fuel injection, oil consumption, and time to overhaul on each). Wing spar and carry-through structure. Wingtip-tank fuel-bladder condition. Any structural repairs from previous incidents. Landing-gear actuators and hydraulic system. Full logbook review with both engine histories tracked separately.
Is the 310R well-supported?
Yes — it is the most common 310 variant, and the IO-520 family is among the most widely supported Continental engines. Shops familiar with the 310 are numerous and parts availability is good. The T310R's TSIO-520 is also well-supported but requires turbocharger-qualified maintenance.

Cessna 310R Inventory by Country

United States5
Australia3
United Kingdom1

Cessna 310R by Price

Under $100k6
Under $200k33
Under $300k46
Under $500k46

Cessna 310R by Decade

1970s1

Recently Sold Cessna 310R

1978 310R$219,500

Cessna 310R Safety Record

Across all 310R variants, 121 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

121

Total Events

54

Incidents

11

Serious

50

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Apr 11, 2025 Boca Raton, FL Fatal (3) —
Jun 27, 2024 Duluth, MN Incident —
Jan 14, 2024 Poolville, TX Fatal (3) Pilot incapacitation for undetermined reasons which resulted into controlled descent into terrain.
Dec 15, 2022 Lexington, KY Incident A main landing gear collapse due to a landing gear actuator overtravel for reasons that could not be determined.
Mar 10, 2022 McGrath, AK Incident A failure of the right main landing gear bellcrank lower arm fork, bellcrank, pivot bolt, and trunnion bellcrank lug for…

NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Cessna 310R variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed yesterday · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data