Cessna P310 Twin Training

flyguy969 · January 5th, 2008, 01:33

My flight school is going to be getting a Cessna p310. Can anyone give me an idea how the training is in this aircraft. Also, is this a reliable plane? Any quirks or stuff like that.I just want to prepare myself as much as I can before I get into it.
Thanx!!

TFaudree_ERAU · January 5th, 2008, 02:35

P310 or 310P?

I'd assume 310P. I flew a turbo 310Q a little, with a Robertson STOL kit. Other than my 6'2" frame and long legs not getting along well with the bottom of the instrument panel and yoke, it was a very fun airplane to fly. Very very easy to land. Wait 'til you take it to the buffet before a stall. With the STOL kit, it was a cinch to operate in and out of a 2300' runway. My only minor complaint was the tip tanks give it a tendency to yaw excessively in wind gusts and the janitrol heater might as well have been permanently mounted to the shop bench.

esa17 · January 5th, 2008, 08:41

All my twin time is in 310's, they are sweet airplanes! When it comes to reliability, well, like anything else its only as reliable as the MX allows it to be. They are tanks on the ground and dream to fly in the air, when those mains touch she's going to sit and make your job a lot easier than it is in most singles. If its one of the old models with the tuna-tanks you'll really get a firm grasp on how to ride out turbulence because when that fuel gets to sloshing around in those tanks the only way to stop the dutch rolling is to land. The ones wearing the flying tanks are a little better but they're still prone to it. I love flying 310s and its been far too long since I have.

Counselor · January 5th, 2008, 12:51

Any thoughts on a fresh PPL doing instrument and commercial training in a 310 instead of 172?

jynxyjoe · January 5th, 2008, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counselor

Any thoughts on a fresh PPL doing instrument and commercial training in a 310 instead of 172?

ick. stay with a 172.

Spent 10 hours in the old 310. Nice plane but give me a piper Chieftain anyday.

jtrain609 · January 5th, 2008, 13:22

Chieftain's rock it! But let me tell you from experience, you don't want to be flying one at 200 hours.

Murdoughnut · January 5th, 2008, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counselor

Any thoughts on a fresh PPL doing instrument and commercial training in a 310 instead of 172?

My thought is that it must be nice to have that sorta money.

Counselor · January 5th, 2008, 15:13

Nah. VA benefits.

IFly85 · January 5th, 2008, 18:50

Also, if someone hasn't said it yet, be carefull about sideloading the gear. The ger on the 310 is really long it can collapsed if it is sideloaded way too hard.

desertdog71 · January 5th, 2008, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murdoughnut

My thought is that it must be nice to have that sorta money.

Fuel burn is gonna be brutal compared to smaller twins.

flyguy969 · January 5th, 2008, 20:53

Awesome sounds like this will be a cool twin to learn in. That was one of my biggest concerns but it sounds like that will not be a problem. Thank s for everyones comments!

NC_BE300 · January 5th, 2008, 23:06

The 310 was a blast to fly, and has alot of power.
I flew it for my initial multi training, and to get my Commercial Multi.
Yes the fuel flows are higher, so i guess that may come into effect if you are renting the aircraft on a dry rate. When i went through my training, it was at a mom&pop flight school where you paid a flat rate for the multi course (about 10 hrs + checkride).
Learned alot in the plane, and the single engine performance definitly beats the Seminoles & Seneca's i've flown since then.

minitour · January 6th, 2008, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Counselor

Any thoughts on a fresh PPL doing instrument and commercial training in a 310 instead of 172?

If you aren't pressed for cash, I'd say do it. I think any advanced training (hell, any training) is money well spent.

Just realize it will take you much longer to finish both the instrument and commercial. Also, unless it is a part 141 program, you'll still need to get some PIC XC done some how. You won't be soloing a 310 (insurance) so plan on spending the 50 hours in the skyhawk anyway. Try to do 20-30 hours solo and another 20-30 with a CFII doing IFR Cross countries..then when you do the stuff in the 310 it'll be easier with the exception of the speed, complexity, single engine procedures, watching the power, etc.

It's going to be tough, but do-able. IMHO, if you have the money, it can be worth it.

-mini

WalterSobchak · January 6th, 2008, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

ick. stay with a 172.

Spent 10 hours in the old 310. Nice plane but give me a piper Chieftain anyday.

I agree! The fuel system is just dumb in a 310. I like the Navajos and Aztecs much better.

flyguy969 · January 7th, 2008, 09:55

I have heard a few comments about the fuel system. What makes it so bad? Is it unsafe or does it fail? Obviously it is not efficient fuel wise but why? I am excited to fly it for my multi add on as the plane seems to be a good trainer

USMCmech · January 7th, 2008, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyguy969

I have heard a few comments about the fuel system. What makes it so bad? Is it unsafe or does it fail? Obviously it is not efficient fuel wise but why? I am excited to fly it for my multi add on as the plane seems to be a good trainer

The fuel system has a few quirks, but it isn't partculary complicated.

The main tanks are on the wingtips, and the aux tanks are in the wing. Which is backwards from what most people (especially line men fueling the plane) assume.

You must run off the mains for an hour before running off the aux tanks. If you don't the returned fuel from the engine is pumped to the already full mains and then overboard.

That's about it.

jynxyjoe · January 7th, 2008, 11:24

stupid cessna twins.

Texasspilot · January 7th, 2008, 12:13

Fun airplanes to fly. I've probably got 800+ hours in the Q and R models.

Biggest thing is the fuel system. If i remember right there can be up to six tanks in the plane that you have to choose from. If you switch to early the extra gas(gas that gets sent to the engine isn't used and returned to fuel tanks) Always ges sent back to the main(TIP) tank. If you've got a full tip tank and are feeding off one of the AUX's then youll end up pumping fuel overboard.

Landing gear needs constant adjustment and can be easy to break especially if you have a habit of doing full stall landings and dropping the plane on the runway.

Theyre fast and fun depending on the plane. We had one Q model that wouldnt go over 150KIAS if you were empty but had a few R models with good engines that hadn't been to beat up that would do 200+KIAS on a nice fall day.

The heaters work well when they work but are easy to overheat and can cause fires if you dont shut em down a couple minutes before you land. In fact they work so well that I used to warm up my breakfast sandwhiches on the dash heater and itd melt the cheese!

The biggest thing is that its a fast airplane. Spend tons of time in the plane before you ever get in the air memorizing where switches are..thisll save you hundreds of bucks.

flyguy969 · January 7th, 2008, 12:47

That is an awesome idea Tex!! I will do that to learn where everything is in the cock pit

jynxyjoe · January 7th, 2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyguy969

That is an awesome idea Tex!! I will do that to learn where everything is in the cock pit

So after all the above advice you are just gonna do it anyway?

flyguy969 · January 7th, 2008, 17:38

Well I mean I will sit in the cockpit to learn all of the switches and the placement of everything before going up. This is the plane that my flight school says they will be getting in the next few weeks to replace the Dutchess which apparently had more problems then it was worth to keep fixing.

January 5th, 2008, 01:33	#1
flyguy969 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Pete, FL(KPIE, KSPG) Posts: 268	Cessna P310 Twin Training My flight school is going to be getting a Cessna p310. Can anyone give me an idea how the training is in this aircraft. Also, is this a reliable plane? Any quirks or stuff like that.I just want to prepare myself as much as I can before I get into it. Thanx!! __________________ KA-BLAHHHH....FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

January 5th, 2008, 02:35	#2
TFaudree_ERAU Old Skool Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia is for Lovers, yacht chasing on the weekends Posts: 1,758	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training P310 or 310P? I'd assume 310P. I flew a turbo 310Q a little, with a Robertson STOL kit. Other than my 6'2" frame and long legs not getting along well with the bottom of the instrument panel and yoke, it was a very fun airplane to fly. Very very easy to land. Wait 'til you take it to the buffet before a stall. With the STOL kit, it was a cinch to operate in and out of a 2300' runway. My only minor complaint was the tip tanks give it a tendency to yaw excessively in wind gusts and the janitrol heater might as well have been permanently mounted to the shop bench.

January 5th, 2008, 08:41	#3
esa17 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: JAX FL Posts: 388	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training All my twin time is in 310's, they are sweet airplanes! When it comes to reliability, well, like anything else its only as reliable as the MX allows it to be. They are tanks on the ground and dream to fly in the air, when those mains touch she's going to sit and make your job a lot easier than it is in most singles. If its one of the old models with the tuna-tanks you'll really get a firm grasp on how to ride out turbulence because when that fuel gets to sloshing around in those tanks the only way to stop the dutch rolling is to land. The ones wearing the flying tanks are a little better but they're still prone to it. I love flying 310s and its been far too long since I have. __________________ Being captain is about pure intuition and heart, a good captain can't have either one.

January 5th, 2008, 12:51	#4
Counselor Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 8	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Any thoughts on a fresh PPL doing instrument and commercial training in a 310 instead of 172?

January 5th, 2008, 13:22	#6
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,000	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Chieftain's rock it! But let me tell you from experience, you don't want to be flying one at 200 hours. __________________ STFD 6 on, 1 off, 2 on, 2 off, 5 on - That's a cumulative 84 hours at home over a 14 day period.

January 5th, 2008, 15:13	#8
Counselor Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 8	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Nah. VA benefits.

January 5th, 2008, 18:50	#9
IFly85 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Live in MEM but commute to RDU Posts: 459	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Also, if someone hasn't said it yet, be carefull about sideloading the gear. The ger on the 310 is really long it can collapsed if it is sideloaded way too hard.

January 5th, 2008, 20:53	#11
flyguy969 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Pete, FL(KPIE, KSPG) Posts: 268	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Awesome sounds like this will be a cool twin to learn in. That was one of my biggest concerns but it sounds like that will not be a problem. Thank s for everyones comments! __________________ KA-BLAHHHH....FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

January 5th, 2008, 23:06	#12
NC_BE300 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NC & JFK Posts: 401	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training The 310 was a blast to fly, and has alot of power. I flew it for my initial multi training, and to get my Commercial Multi. Yes the fuel flows are higher, so i guess that may come into effect if you are renting the aircraft on a dry rate. When i went through my training, it was at a mom&pop flight school where you paid a flat rate for the multi course (about 10 hrs + checkride). Learned alot in the plane, and the single engine performance definitly beats the Seminoles & Seneca's i've flown since then.

January 7th, 2008, 09:55	#15
flyguy969 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Pete, FL(KPIE, KSPG) Posts: 268	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training I have heard a few comments about the fuel system. What makes it so bad? Is it unsafe or does it fail? Obviously it is not efficient fuel wise but why? I am excited to fly it for my multi add on as the plane seems to be a good trainer __________________ KA-BLAHHHH....FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

January 7th, 2008, 11:24	#17
jynxyjoe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Memphis Posts: 646	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training stupid cessna twins. __________________ Rule #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey.

January 7th, 2008, 12:13	#18
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,059	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Fun airplanes to fly. I've probably got 800+ hours in the Q and R models. Biggest thing is the fuel system. If i remember right there can be up to six tanks in the plane that you have to choose from. If you switch to early the extra gas(gas that gets sent to the engine isn't used and returned to fuel tanks) Always ges sent back to the main(TIP) tank. If you've got a full tip tank and are feeding off one of the AUX's then youll end up pumping fuel overboard. Landing gear needs constant adjustment and can be easy to break especially if you have a habit of doing full stall landings and dropping the plane on the runway. Theyre fast and fun depending on the plane. We had one Q model that wouldnt go over 150KIAS if you were empty but had a few R models with good engines that hadn't been to beat up that would do 200+KIAS on a nice fall day. The heaters work well when they work but are easy to overheat and can cause fires if you dont shut em down a couple minutes before you land. In fact they work so well that I used to warm up my breakfast sandwhiches on the dash heater and itd melt the cheese! The biggest thing is that its a fast airplane. Spend tons of time in the plane before you ever get in the air memorizing where switches are..thisll save you hundreds of bucks.

January 7th, 2008, 12:47	#19
flyguy969 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Pete, FL(KPIE, KSPG) Posts: 268	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training That is an awesome idea Tex!! I will do that to learn where everything is in the cock pit __________________ KA-BLAHHHH....FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

January 7th, 2008, 17:38	#21
flyguy969 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Pete, FL(KPIE, KSPG) Posts: 268	Re: Cessna P310 Twin Training Well I mean I will sit in the cockpit to learn all of the switches and the placement of everything before going up. This is the plane that my flight school says they will be getting in the next few weeks to replace the Dutchess which apparently had more problems then it was worth to keep fixing. __________________ KA-BLAHHHH....FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!

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