Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Cessna T310R.

Many people involved in GA, from aircraft manufacturers to private pilots shopping for their next airplane, are aware of a notable trend in the so-called step-up market. In short, the type of pilot who used to step up to a light twin decades ago is more likely to choose a turboprop single these days.

The change makes sense when we consider that many pilots step up mainly to increase their cruising speed, and new turbine singles generally outrun older piston twins. But there are exceptions.

Cessna’s 310 series of light twins, manufactured from the mid-1950s until 1980, is known for lots of reserve power and high speeds. When you add turbocharging that boosts performance at altitude, as with this 1978 T130R, your cruising speeds might have ATC mistaking you for an airliner.

On the practical side, piston twins can offer good value on a dollar-per-knot basis when compared with turboprops, which arguably are in a different league in terms of budget. They also provide the security of a spare engine should one fail as you travel over water, in mountainous terrain, or at night.

When it comes to style, aesthetics, and perhaps a smidgen of vanity, the 310 is perceived by many as one of the best-looking GA aircraft ever built. Taxiing to the FBO in this turbocharged six-seater will give any pilot the Sky King experience. They also tend to receive affection from line personnel and fellow pilots who appreciate vintage iron.  

This 1978 Cessna Turbo 310R has 5,100 hours on the airframe and 1,200 hours since overhaul on each of its Continental TSIO-520 engines. The six-seat aircraft is equipped with a built-in 76-cubic-foot supplemental oxygen system. The IFR panel features a Garmin G 500 flight display panel with Garmin GTN 750 and GTN 650 GPS/nav/comms, S-Tec 55X autopilot, and JPI EDM 960.

Pilots looking for a piston twin that offers good value should take a detailed look at this 1978 Cessna T310R, which is available for $235,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Cessna 310 ‘Songbird III’ Still Attracts the Fans
• FLYING Magazine: Flight Simulator’s Cessna 310 Offers Up Realistic Weather Lesson
• FLYING Magazine: Things to Think About When Moving Up to a Light Twin
• FLYING Magazine: Garmin Achieves STC for GFC 600 for Cessna 310R, Pilatus PC-12/47
• Plane & Pilot: Cessna 310
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 310
• The Aviation Consumer: Cessna 320 Skyknight
• AVweb: Jimmy Stewart Cessna 310 Monument Dedicated

The post This 1978 Cessna T310R’s Power and Versatility Make It an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza.

For many pilots who regard their airplanes as time-saving transportation for family and business trips, the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza is an extremely attractive proposition. Its combination of a six-place cabin, cruise performance, and load-carrying capacity makes the aircraft ideal for long cross-country trips.

The aircraft for sale here is a relatively rare turbocharged A36TC, which gives its owner more options in selecting cruising altitudes that will optimize performance and cut travel time.

Aesthetics add to the Bonanza’s appeal. From the early V-tail models to the conventional or “straight tail” versions that came later, Bonanzas are great-looking aircraft. Some find the 36 series, with its fuselage gracefully stretched to accommodate a third row of seats, the best-looking iteration of the Bonanza, though others will debate this issue in perpetuity.

It does seem safe to suggest that most pilots would be happy to have an A36TC in their hangar and to fly their family in it to a new vacation destination.           

This 1981 A36TC has 2,630 hours on the airframe, 621 hours since overhaul on its 300 hp Continental TSIO-520-UB engine, and 653 hours since overhaul on its Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF propeller. The aircraft was repainted in 2018 and has operated for 432 hours since receiving new Millennium cylinders. 

Additional equipment includes 20-gallon Osborne tip tanks, standby alternator, standby vacuum pump, LED landing, taxi and beacon lights, Eagle fuel drains on main tanks, and stainless steel locking gas caps. The aircraft has a usable fuel capacity of 114 gallons. MTOW is 3,833 pounds and useful load is 1,310 pounds.

The panel features a PS Engineering PMA-8000B audio panel, Avidyne IFD 540 nav/comm, Garmin GNC 255A nav/comm, King KFC 200 autopilot, KI 256 flight director, KAS 297 altitude preselect, dual altimeters, Garmin GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, Collins DME, Insight Strikefinder, Shadin digital fuel flow, and JPI EDM 700 engine monitor.

Pilots seeking a high-flying, high-performance six-seater for efficient family or business travel should consider this 1981 Beechcraft A36TC, which is available for $330,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use its airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Beechcraft A36 Bonanza vs. Bonanza V-tails
• FLYING Magazine: Beechcraft Delivers 4000th Model 36 Bonanza
• FLYING Magazine: New Interiors for Beechcraft Barons, Bonanzas
• Plane & Pilot: Beechcraft A36 Bonanza
• Plane & Pilot: Beechcraft A36/A36TC/B36TC Bonanza
• The Aviation Consumer: Beechcraft Bonanza 36
• The Aviation Consumer: Six Place Survey

The post This 1981 Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza Is a Fetching, Fast ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket.

While the long-running Mooney M20 series of four-seat retractables is known for efficient aerodynamics that allow them to post impressive performance numbers with relatively little horsepower, there are always certain pilots who want more.

Rocket Engineering is among a number of companies that perform conversions on Mooney’s that include larger, more powerful engines, and other systems aimed at boosting climb performance, cruising speed, and service ceiling.

The aircraft for sale here was converted in 1999, swapping its 210 hp Continental TSIO-360 engine for a 305 hp TSIO-520. The additional power made a big impression. Mooney M20Ks were fine performers, but the Rocket-modified versions did most things faster and better.

Additional modifications make this airplane well-suited for fast, high-altitude travel. It is also an ideal vintage platform for competing with modern speedsters like the Cirrus SR22T.

This 1979 305 Rocket has 2,650 hours on the airframe, 940 hours on its Continental TSIO-520-NB engine, and 705 hours on its McCauley three-blade, full-feathering propeller. The aircraft is certified to FL 240 and is equipped with a TKS anti-ice system, speed brakes, and Monroy long-range tanks giving a total usable fuel capacity of 101 gallons. The Mooney received new paint earlier this year and a new interior in 2001.

The panel features dual Garmin GNS 430W GPS/Nav/Comm radios, MX20 MFD, Garmin GMA 340 audio panel, GTX 345 transponder with ADS-B In and Out, KFC200 autopilot, flight director, and engine monitor. 

Pilots who are attracted to Mooney aircraft because of their efficient design but would like a bit more power inside the cowling should consider this 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket, which is available for $189,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.

• FLYING Magazine: BendixKing to Offer Autopilot for Mooney M20-series Airplanes
• FLYING Magazine: STC Approved for Hartzell Propeller Three-Blade Mooney Bravo Prop
• FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Grumman AA-5 vs. Mooney M20 Series
• The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Mooney 231/252
• The Aviation Consumer: Mooney Missile
• AVweb: Mooney Under New Management

The post This 1979 Mooney M20K 305 Rocket Is a Souped-Up ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick appeared first on FLYING Magazine.