Saab 340

They stopped making the Saab 340 around about 1999/2000.

Do they still make Saab 340’s the military Verison? I know the Royal Thai Air Force have just ordered one or will this be an old Saab 340 and ?

James

One of the key things we were always grateful for was the handling. In many parts of the world (including the Channel Islands where I was based when flying these) the turboprops fly from the highlands and islands. The big jets tend to operate from nice inland or coastal flatlands where the weather is never too bad. The remote locations where these things tend to operate from are where you get 30 knot crosswinds in fog, etc and these aircraft are at best capable of Cat 2 without an autoland capability. In other words your first view of the airfield is out of the side window (because of the crosswind) seconds before touchdown (at 100′) but you must click out the autopilot and get used to the conditions in that time. Believe me, Cat3b with no decision height is 10 times easier than Cat 2 with no autoland.
The Saab always made life easier than some in these circumstances as it only used ailerons for roll control. The ATR (for example) also uses roll spoilers which are a pain in a strong crosswind as they tend to swing the nose into the crosswind at a point when you would be using the rudder to try to do the opposite. You could always tell an ATR pilot by their nervous twitch if the wind got a bit cross! The ironic thing was that a few years ago the Saabs I flew were replaced with… ATRs!

Interesting. Nice to have the perspective of someone who flies the thing. I’ve got another trip scheduled to go home in a few weeks and a 340 will again be helping me end my journey (to get home) and begin it (to leave) so I’m going to try and get a peak inside the cockpit after the flights. I’ve looked when getting on them before, but it was just a quick glance as I was getting on the aircraft and/or getting off.

Of all your points the one I’m certified to agree with you on (seeing as I haven’t flown it) is that it is the best looking turboprop on the ramp.

It’s just a good looking airplane in my opinion. The 2000 also looks good.

Likes:

1 – Definitely the coolest looking turboprop on the ramp. It may have been small but it looked the business.

2 – Although only semi-EFIS it had a pretty decent cockpit compared to other mid ’80-s designed turboprops.

3 – Envy from the company Shed pilots!

4 – Great FMS for something so small.

Dislikes:

1 – The cold feet in winter.

2 – The sheer complexity of the thing. The B757 and A340 are way easier to operate. At least it made it a great training ground for coping with the jets.

3 – Not being able to stand up straight while having a pee due to the cabin height and fuselage curvature.

What was the aircraft like to fly? Anything you liked or did not like about it in particular?

I think part of my fascination with it is that for a long time, it was the only airliner to fly into the regional airport in my hometown until recently (the 340’s being Northwest Airlink i.e. Mesaba and the newer additions being Canadair CRJ-100’s from Delta Connection i.e. ASA). Airport traffic has quadrupled in the past several years, so it’s nice to see it doing so well with two airlines and tons of civilian traffic.

Anyways, I’ve always enjoyed the sound of the Saab, and the flights I’ve taken on them have been pretty pleasant for the most part. I also happen to think that it (and the 2000) is a very fine looking and rather elegant plane.

Just wanted to get an idea of what other people think about it.

…This was Pre 9/11 but Kendall always seem to use the jump/bench seat in the flight deck for an extra revenue passenger, and got the chance to do this. almost surreal with the Captain giving you a pair of David Clarke headsets so you could listen in and talk to them…

That reminds me…

That fold out jump seat was a pain to re-stow. It needed to be whacked into place to get its catch to engage. I had an RSI-style problem with my left hand for 4 years after I stopped flying the Saab because of this.

I had the chance to fly on a 2000 this year with Darwin (regional Swiss airline), and I have to say it is indeed a nice plane !
I was also surprised the planes had a noise cancellation system with speakers all around in the cabin.

I’ve flown a few times on a Saab340 with the now defunt Kendall airlines in Australia on the Melbourne-Devonport route.

This was Pre 9/11 but Kendall always seem to use the jump/bench seat in the flight deck for an extra revenue passenger, and got the chance to do this. almost surreal with the Captain giving you a pair of David Clarke headsets so you could listen in and talk to them.

I flew them (340, not the 2000) for a couple of years a while back. Complex little bu99er. Pretty little thing with lots and lots of kit onboard. Your feet were too close to the outside skin of the aircraft and would get really cold in winter if you didn’t wear thermal socks. I used to think having the single toilet down the back was a pain until an ATP pilot told me that their toilet dumped its odours stright into the flightdeck!

Basic piloting rule of thumb for choosing aircraft types – if you can’t walk underneath it without ducking then the lifestyle and pay will suck. Has always worked for me.

Air Newzealand has a few i think.

I’m afraid not Kabir!

http://www.airnz.co.nz/aboutus/fleet/default.htm

I’m aware of the EMB-120, DHC-8, and J41, but I didn’t know if they were as common as the 340 seems to be.

Here in the States, I seem to see a fair number of DHC-8’s, with 340’s still being a bit more common. As for the other two, I can probably count one one hand the time I’ve seen either.

What about Europe and elsewhere?

Is there a clear winner among the four types as far as which one is the best overall?

Yes Eastern fly the Saab 2000

I’m sure there’s an operator of 340s in NZ as well Steve?

Air Nelson did operate the the 340 ..but the last Saab 340 service was on 24 September 2007 NZ8161 Wellington to Nelson operated by ZK-NLH

Is there another 35 seat turboprop that is as common as the 340? It seems like many of the major airlines out there operate it.

Air Newzealand has a few i think.

Yes Eastern fly the Saab 2000

I’m sure there’s an operator of 340s in NZ as well Steve?

REX airlines have a fleet of 26 here most of which were ex-Kendall via Ansett Airlines fleet

Having recently flown on a Saab 340, I had forgotten that it was quite a bit roomier than I had remembered.

In any case I got to wondering…..the 340 has been a huge success story for Saab and is still very common in the United States (at least American and Northwest still use it), but what about elsewhere? Is it as common in other continents? Are any other of its competitors as common as the 340?

How many 2000’s are left and who are their major operators?

Anyone have any personal opinion (either positive or negative) of the 340?

Loganair fly them here in Scotland in British Airways livery (for now). I’ve flown on them loads of times to the Scottish Outer Hebrides and think they are great, and as you say they’re much roomier than you might think…

As for the 2000, Eastern Airways have a few don’t they ?

159 Saab 340a’s were built
299 , 340b’s were built
and only 63 of the 2000’s were built

shame such a nice a/c!

I’m quite well acquainted with that NWA scheme as NWA has a Saab 340 service from here to MEM. I love seeing/hearing the 340’s all the time!

I also flew on one recently to MEM from here so I got an up close look at the scheme.

Such a beatiful airplane.

A shame the Saab 2000 didn’t get more sales.

Anyone know how many ended up being built and who they are now serving with?

Any good websites about the 340/2000?