Cessna 310R

The Cessna 310R is a twin‑engine, low‑wing aircraft that entered production in 1962 as part of Cessna’s long‑standing 310 series. Designed to bridge the gap between single‑engine utility planes and larger business transports, the 310R featured a longer, more aerodynamic fuselage and larger fuel capacity than its predecessors, allowing a maximum range of roughly 1,300 nautical miles. Powered by two Continental IO‑470‑D fuel‑injected engines delivering 265 hp each, the aircraft could cruise at 210 knots and climb to 10,000 feet in under eight minutes. The cockpit was equipped with a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, counter‑rotating propellers, and a modernized instrument panel that included VOR/ILS navigation aids, a glass cockpit retrofit option, and optional autopilot. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the 310R proved popular with corporate operators, air‑ambulance services, and private owners because of its combination of speed, payload, and runway‑performance flexibility. Its durability and relatively low operating costs helped cement the 310 series as a workhorse of general aviation, influencing later twin designs and reinforcing Cessna’s reputation for dependable, versatile aircraft. Today, many restored 310R models still fly in heritage fleets, showcasing the aircraft’s timeless design and continued relevance in training and historic airshows.