# Why would this Cessna 310 have magnesium flares? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985 "2016-12-31T19:25:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/1 "2016-12-31T19:25:34Z")
This 1956 Cessna 310 is being sold in an [eBay auction](http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-Cessna-310-/152376214470?forcerrptr=true&hash=item237a5483c6:g:YOQAAOSw5cNYZtpi&item=152376214470), so the page will disappear eventually. > [@](#): > > [S]till has original magnesium flares packed in there from 1956. Why would this aircraft have side-firing magnesium flares? ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/2 "2016-12-31T19:44:13Z")
I seem to recall that for big over water trips they were required. Also up North, Canada & Alaska?? They were for signalling but my google-fu is weak and so is my memory… ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/3 "2016-12-31T19:45:44Z")
There’s mention of them on other forums. It seems they were used for emergency night landings. You illuminate where you want to land. [http://cessna170.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2100](http://cessna170.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2100) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/4 "2016-12-31T21:50:44Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > There’s mention of them on other forums. It seems they were used for emergency night landings. You illuminate where you want to land. > > [Flare tubes... - The International Cessna 170 Association](http://cessna170.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2100) Ignorance fought! Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/5 "2016-12-31T22:29:56Z")
MPSIMS: That airplane is at WJF in Lancaster, CA – where I lived from 15 to 26, and where I learned to fly. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/6 "2016-12-31T22:50:46Z")
I like the different colors for the letters and the numerals on the side. It’s attention to detail like that that really adds value in a sale. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/7 "2016-12-31T22:54:44Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I like the different colors for the letters and the numerals on the side. It’s attention to detail like that that really adds value in a sale. You know what would add value to the sale? Engines. And props. And an interior. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/8 "2016-12-31T23:06:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > You know what would add value to the sale? Engines. And props. And an interior. I don’t know, the only way I’d ever feel safe getting into that aircraft is in the no-engine configuration. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/9 "2016-12-31T23:17:32Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I don’t know, the only way I’d ever feel safe getting into that aircraft is in the no-engine configuration. Why? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/10 "2016-12-31T23:33:14Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > There’s mention of them on other forums. It seems they were used for emergency night landings. You illuminate where you want to land. > > [Flare tubes... - The International Cessna 170 Association](http://cessna170.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2100) Before you land, you get to bomb the place with incendiaries? That is so _cool!_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/11 "2016-12-31T23:43:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > You know what would add value to the sale? Engines. And props. And an interior. What’s that I see … is it … is it … **PRESSURE GAUGES** … ??? Yeah, spray painting the registration number on the side … nice touch … I wonder how much it’s worth as scrap aluminum? Buy an XJ-12 … it’ll be cheaper in the long run … ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/12 "2017-01-01T00:58:10Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > There’s mention of them on other forums. It seems they were used for emergency night landings. You illuminate where you want to land. > > [Flare tubes... - The International Cessna 170 Association](http://cessna170.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2100) This reminds me of the old joke: Q: How do you make a forced landing at night? A: Descend to a couple hundred feet above the ground. Turn on your landing lights. If you like what you see, land. If you don’t like what you see, turn off the lights. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/13 "2017-01-01T01:00:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Why? Because that’s the only way to be completely sure that it would remain safely on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/14 "2017-01-01T05:11:53Z")
Is the aluminum and wood tray with four cylinders the flare assembly? Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/15 "2017-01-01T05:29:30Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Is the aluminum and wood tray with four cylinders the flare assembly? Yes. you can see the covers on the outside in another photo. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/16 "2017-01-01T08:32:55Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I don’t know, the only way I’d ever feel safe getting into that aircraft is in the no-engine configuration. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Why? > [@Riemann](#): > > Because that’s the only way to be completely sure that it would remain safely on the ground. I have rebuilt aircraft that were in much worse shape. It says that there is no damage history. So I would probably not have to replace the landing gear, the wing spars, nor any of the ribs. The sheet metal looks fairly good from those few pictures. Rebuilding this one would be much cheaper than buying a new one. There would be a lot of inspecting, but little sheet metal work. Worst case scenario, one could use this airframe to rebuild one that has “serious damage history”. With Rebuilt engines & propellers, it can, & probably will fly again. The spray painted “N” numbers & letters are probably the temporary “N” number issued to that aircraft for the ferry permit to fly it to where it is now. Lets see, do I spend $100.00 or more for stenciled letters & numbers, or do I use up some old spray paint cans that I have laying around at zero cost? Hard choices I know. Believe it or not, those letters & numbers are almost legal size wise. I have a simple question, Does anyone recognize the flying eagle logo on the tail of this aircraft? It seems familiar to me, as does the airfield. ---
**Author:** ![Jesta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Jesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesta)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/17 "2017-01-01T08:55:32Z")
> [@48Willys](#): > > I have a simple question, Does anyone recognize the flying eagle logo on the tail of this aircraft? It seems familiar to me, as does the airfield. Post #5 covered the airfield… > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > MPSIMS: That airplane is at WJF in Lancaster, CA – ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/18 "2017-01-01T15:54:02Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > What’s that I see … is it … is it … **PRESSURE GAUGES** … ??? What are you talking about? I looked at all the pix and found nothing of the sort. Maybe your eyes are better than mine. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/19 "2017-01-01T15:55:45Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > What are you talking about? I looked at all the pix and found nothing of the sort. Maybe your eyes are better than mine. I’m guessing he meant ‘steam gauges’. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985/20 "2017-01-01T16:25:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m guessing he meant ‘steam gauges’. Is that the correct term? … my apologies … in the one photo we can see a bit of the dash board … looks like steam gauges instead of advanced computer controlled multitaskable avionics … for the asking price I’m even wondering if the plane has radios … … and I guess **48Willys** is right about rebuilding costs … $325,000 for a [2012 Cessna 172](http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft-for-sale-detail/Cessna-172/2012-Cessna-172SP-Skyhawk-G1000/61563.htm) … but here you can see the better instrumentation … and actual stenciled letters & numbers … woot … [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-this-cessna-310-have-magnesium-flares/775985.md?page=2)