Saab 340
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The SAAB 340 is a two-engine turboprop aircraft designed and initially produced by a partnership between Saab and Fairchild in a 65/35 ratio. Under the initial plan Saab built the fuselage and fin, and also performed final assembly in Linköping, Sweden while Fairchild was responsible for the wings, empennage, and engine nacelles. After Fairchild ceased this work, wings were assembled in Sweden.
Originally designated as the SF340, the aircraft first flew in 1983. After Fairchild exited the aircraft manufacturing business in 1984 the designation was eventually changed to 340A. An improved version of the 340A, the 340B, introduced more powerful engines and a wider tailplane in 1989. The final version, the 340B Plus, incorporated improvements that were being introduced at the same time in the Saab 2000, and was delivered for service in 1994.
One of the improvements introduced in the 340B Plus was the installation of an active noise suppression system in the cabin, greatly reducing noise levels to the passengers. Another change from earlier models was the moving of the lavatory compartment from the aft of the passenger cabin to just aft of the flight deck. This increased total available cargo volume as the original location intruded into the cargo bin area.
The SAAB 340 typically seats between 30 and 35 passengers.
The military variant is the Saab 340 AEW & C, which is an electronic surveillance aircraft.
As of Oct 2005, there are 430 Saab 340's in service with 56 operators in 25 countries. -courtesy www.saabaircraft.com
Saab ceased the production of civil aircraft in 2005.
Details
- Accommodation: 2 pilots, 1 flight attendant + 30 to 37 passengers
- Range: 1730 km (935 nm)
- Wing span: 21.44 m (70 ft 4 in)
- Length: 19.73 m (64 ft 9 in)
- Height: 6.97 m (22 ft 11 in)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m) (commercial) and 31,000 ft (9,400 m) (executive configuration )
- Maximum speed:
- *340A - 260 kt IAS (463 km/h)
- *340B/B Plus - 282 kt TAS (523 km/h)
- Powerplants:
- *340A - Two 1295 kW (1735 shp) General Electric CT7-5A2 turboprops
- *340B/B Plus - Two 1305 kW (1750 shp) General Electric CT7-9B turboprops
- Propellers: Dowty Rotol or Hamilton Standard four blade constant speed (Total diameter 132 in (3.35 m))
- Fuel capacity: 2580 kg (5690 lb)
- Max. Gross Weight:
- *340A - 12,370 kg (27,275 lb)
- *340B/B Plus - 13,200 kg (29,000 lb)
- Max. Landing Weight: 12,900 kg (28,500 lb)
Major Operators
- Colgan Air [Continental Connection, United Express and US Airways Express] (USA)
- Mesaba Airlines under the name Northwest Airlink for Northwest Airlines. (USA)
- American Eagle Airlines (USA)
- Rex - Regional Express (Australia)
- Macair Airlines (Australia)
- Aerolitoral (Mexico)
- Air Nelson (New Zealand)
- Loganair (UK)
- Japan Air Commuter
- Pen Air (USA)
- Calm Air (Canada)
- Transwest Air (Canada)
- Quebec Air Express (Canada)
- Golden Air (Sweden)
- Carpatair (Romania)
- RegionsAir (USA)
- Eznis Airways (Mongolia)
- Chicago Express (USA)
Military Operators
- Sweden.
See also:List of civil aircraft
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