Air-to-Air Cessna 340

Lowflynjack

Lowflynjack

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Jack Fleetwood
Love these planes. Got a chance to shoot this one for Cessna Owners Organization a couple of days ago.

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Jack, your pics would double the asking price of any plane. If I ever sell mine, you would be the first person I would pay to take some photos. You even made the old “milk stool” sexy:)
 
These get better every time you post something, wow!
 
Gorgeous as usual Jack! I have a soft spot for the 340 - I flew one around on a contract basis while instructing and it felt like my first 'real' airplane. Loved flying it, even more than the 421.
 
Ah, so nice. I wish I could afford one. Have a friend with one. I was working with him as a safety pilot to renew his instrument currency in my plane (I'm not multi yet), then we switched to his after we were done. Wanted to get some lunch. Departing from KRHV, I suggested what I ordinarily might with my 172...head to Napa or head to Monterey and the like. He asked, what about Tahoe? But, so high, so far, I say. He says, 45 minutes. And, sure enough, 45 minutes later, we were landing for lunch. It's definitely a plane that makes the world smaller.

Those are amazing photos.
 
I was just thinking about how I should really have a 340 today. Jack, your pictures aren’t helping. I already know I can’t afford one, but that’s not enough when they look so good and go so fast.

Can someone at least tell me that they’re really not that nice inside, passenger seats are worse than Allegiant or something? Or that the supposedly “quieter cabin” is like comparing the third row at a Metallica concert to the front row? Nobody ever quantifies that with a decibel meter and I’ve wanted to ask.
 
iamtheari said:
I was just thinking about how I should really have a 340 today. Jack, your pictures aren’t helping. I already know I can’t afford one, but that’s not enough when they look so good and go so fast.

Can someone at least tell me that they’re really not that nice inside, passenger seats are worse than Allegiant or something? Or that the supposedly “quieter cabin” is like comparing the third row at a Metallica concert to the front row? Nobody ever quantifies that with a decibel meter and I’ve wanted to ask.
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Yep, apparently now I want a 340 as well. Took a quick look online and there’s a lot of shtty panels out there. But I bet if Jack took a pic of a shytty panel it would make it look like a G3000 or something.
 
For those thinking about it, my friend budgets realistically between $500-600 per hour. That's too rich for me, but might be reachable for some of you.
 
iamtheari said:
I was just thinking about how I should really have a 340 today. Jack, your pictures aren’t helping. I already know I can’t afford one, but that’s not enough when they look so good and go so fast.

Can someone at least tell me that they’re really not that nice inside, passenger seats are worse than Allegiant or something? Or that the supposedly “quieter cabin” is like comparing the third row at a Metallica concert to the front row? Nobody ever quantifies that with a decibel meter and I’ve wanted to ask.
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Having flown in it, I can say that the cabin is narrow. Trying to stick an aisle in such a small aircraft results in some contortions moving through the plane. An airliner, it is not. Squeezing into the flight deck is particularly tight. Seats around the door are pretty easy, and it gets worse as you go forward. I can't comment on the passengers seats themselves, as I right-seat every time I'm in it, but they're pretty basic Cessna seats. No first-class seats there, but seem fine. Front seats are comfortable enough once you're actually ensconced in them.

As for noise, I don't have numbers, just subjective. Talking and communication is possible in the cabin without headsets, but it's hardly whisper-quiet. I would not want to be back there with no hearing protection for long flights, but it's not like being in a single-engine where the noise is deafening and damaging immediately. You can talk, but you might have to lean in to do so. My kids have been in the back and they take off their headsets without complaining of the noise. It doesn't seem loud enough to be damaging for an hour or so, but, like I said, I wouldn't want it droning in my ears for a full day of flying.
 
eman1200 said:
Yep, apparently now I want a 340 as well. Took a quick look online and there’s a lot of shtty panels out there. But I bet if Jack took a pic of a shytty panel it would make it look like a G3000 or something.
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Well, it's not a G3000, but not bad for a guy like me! And thanks!
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arnoha said:
Having flown in it, I can say that the cabin is narrow. Trying to stick an aisle in such a small aircraft results in some contortions moving through the plane. An airliner, it is not. Squeezing into the flight deck is particularly tight. Seats around the door are pretty easy, and it gets worse as you go forward. I can't comment on the passengers seats themselves, as I right-seat every time I'm in it, but they're pretty basic Cessna seats. No first-class seats there, but seem fine. Front seats are comfortable enough once you're actually ensconced in them.
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This ones interior is far from original, pretty first class to me! You can see what you're saying about narrow aisles, and me being around 6' 220 lbs, yes, it was tight to move around.

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Lowflynjack said:
This ones interior is far from original, pretty first class to me! You can see what you're saying about narrow aisles, and me being around 6' 220 lbs, yes, it was tight to move around.
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How does it compare to a PA-46? I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs and I had the fortune of flying right-seat in a Malibu once. It took me more than one try to get into the cockpit because I managed to wedge my back against the ceiling the first time and had to back up and try a different angle.
 
iamtheari said:
How does it compare to a PA-46? I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs and I had the fortune of flying right-seat in a Malibu once. It took me more than one try to get into the cockpit because I managed to wedge my back against the ceiling the first time and had to back up and try a different angle.
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Haven't had the opportunity myself to fly the PA-46, but forgot to include my own dimensions before: I'm 6'2" as well and clock in around 190 lbs., so that's the reference for my experience.
 
iamtheari said:
How does it compare to a PA-46? I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs and I had the fortune of flying right-seat in a Malibu once. It took me more than one try to get into the cockpit because I managed to wedge my back against the ceiling the first time and had to back up and try a different angle.
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I've only been in a PA-46 once, but in a 340 many times. The 340 is easier. Like any of these airplanes, you have to get the contortions just right. In the 340, I have found that you have to lead with the leg for the side of the plane you're sitting on - so, left seat, lead with the left foot through the aisle between the seats. Then it's not too bad. In the PA-46, I think you add the complication of climbing over the wing spar as well.

I actually find getting out of the 340 trickier than getting in.
 
can't blame you, travis is one of the best backdrops in the area and that side with the setting sun gives great color. but when I bring the RV-4 down to have you shoot it, we will have to get a few low level runs for the best back backdrop......
 
If you're willing to give up a few knots, a 414 has a little bigger cabin. All the systems and engines on the 414 are pretty much the same as a 340A, so the operating costs are identical. Both great planes.
 
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