I have just purchased the Dreamfleet Cessna 310. I notice in the manual that it says that this model is turbocharged and can reach flight level 30 - but It also says that the 310 aircraft was unpressurized. So how does this all work in real life? The a/c can take 6 people.Thanks Barry

That is correct. It did not have a pressurized cabin. If you fly an unpressurized aircraft, you are almost sure, eventually, to encounter the problem of ear discomfort during ascent or descent. This is because there is unequal pressure between the external ear canal, and the enclosed middle ear, which stays at ground-level pressure.Supplemental oxygen must also be used in aircraft with unpressurized cabins, since air has less oxygen as altitude increases. With pressurized cabins, even at FL30, the pressure in the cabin does not get above 8,000 feet.If you don't use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet in a unpressurized cabin, your passengers might start experiencing hot and cold flashes, a feeling of ants crawling on their skin and dizziness, along with nausea, blurred vision, slurred speech and mental confusion. It will make it pretty tough to fly the plane as well!Hope that is helpful.Scott

You need oxygen masks - that simple.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

>That is correct. It did not have a pressurized cabin. If>you fly an unpressurized aircraft, you are almost sure,>eventually, to encounter the problem of ear discomfort during>ascent or descent. This is because there is unequal pressure>between the external ear canal, and the enclosed middle ear,>which stays at ground-level pressure.Your ears do not stay at ground level pressure, they will equalize out. Chewing gum, and yawning helps if they aren't adjusting fast enough.>Supplemental oxygen must also be used in aircraft with>unpressurized cabins, since air has less oxygen as altitude>increases. With pressurized cabins, even at FL30, the>pressure in the cabin does not get above 8,000 feet.>If you don't use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet in a>unpressurized cabin, your passengers might start experiencing>hot and cold flashes, a feeling of ants crawling on their skin>and dizziness, along with nausea, blurred vision, slurred>speech and mental confusion. It will make it pretty tough to>fly the plane as well!According to FAR 91.211, in unpressurized aircraft flight crews only need to use supplimental oxygen after 30 minutes above 12,500ft. Above 14,000ft, the flight crew must use oxygen at all times. Above 15,000ft the passengers must be "provided" oxygen.Here's the entire FAR 91.211:

Ok about the need for oxygen -- so would this mean that in practical real life terms , these unpressurized a/c would NOT be commonly flown at these high flight levels.Thanks Barry

I want an answer to this also, since it's one of my favorite aircraft.You telling us the 310 had pilots with oxygen masks on all the time or that they flew under 12000 for most of their flights.RonCVA1701

Oxygen masks are only mandatory above 18,000. Below 18,000 you can get away with much simpler and comfortable device called "cannula breathing device" (tubes inserted into your nose). Masks are very cumbersome to wear.Yes, 310 would typically be used below 18,000 ft.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Even though the aircraft is capable of operating that high, it's usually not. It comes in handy when flying over mountains and you need to fly higher, then you pack an oxygen bottle.