Cessna 320 vs Cessna 310
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
- For sale now
- 5
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 1963–1967
No active listings right now.
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 320 — 2 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For 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 |
Cessna 310 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 320 | Cessna 310 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 89 | 584 |
| Serious | 7 | 42 |
| Fatal | 34 | 181 |
| Fatalities | 81 | 354 |
| % Fatal | 38% | 31% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 320 | Cessna 310 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $98,938 – $122,750 | $19,000 – $270,000 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Horsepower | 150–160 HP | 240 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 120–122 kts (226 km/h) | 190 kts (352 km/h) |
| Range | 900 nm (1,667 km) | 800 nm (1,482 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 4,830 lbs (2,191 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,800 lbs (816 kg) | 1,700 lbs (771 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 | 2 x Reciprocating |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 320
Cessna 310
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 320 or Cessna 310?
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 320 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 5.
- Faster cruise — 200 kts vs 190 kts.
- Longer range — 900 nm vs 800 nm.
Pick the 310 if…
- Budget matters — from $19,000 vs $98,938, you save ~$79,938.
- More inventory — 48 listings vs 5.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.