Air-to-Air Cessna 340

Lowflynjack

Lowflynjack

En-Route
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
4,309
Display Name
Display name:
Jack Fleetwood
Well, this time dust from Colorado hit Texas. Made for some interesting lighting though!

50847025591_f29010aecb_b.jpg

50847064412_5450d7181e_b.jpg

50847059427_d8aea10f75_b.jpg

50846244968_7a86fc550b_b.jpg

50846971951_6043804157_b.jpg

50847054782_f0fec54bf9_b.jpg

50847053472_6cfa453967_b.jpg

50847049202_32f990da46_b.jpg
 
fasteddie said:
Agreed, great shots. I'm not that familiar with twins, but the door open on the rear makes it look like a spaceship. Very cool.
Click to expand...
Thanks! There's something about a door that opens like that, with stairs coming down that makes me realize I can never afford it!
 
Great photos as always Jack! Ever come out to the west coast? What photo ship do you shoot from? Could you take pictures of my Mustang? I can probably get down to around 130 KIAS clean but it would be mushy - would be nicer at 150+ KIAS.
 
RudyP said:
Great photos as always Jack! Ever come out to the west coast? What photo ship do you shoot from? Could you take pictures of my Mustang? I can probably get down to around 130 KIAS clean but it would be mushy - would be nicer at 150+ KIAS.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
I plan to get out that way later this year, maybe toward the end of the year. I usually shoot from a 182, but I'm sure we could find someone out there to take me up in an A-36.
 
Lowflynjack said:
Thanks! There's something about a door that opens like that, with stairs coming down that makes me realize I can never afford it!
Click to expand...
We can fabricobble you a set of stairs...the door...little more difficult to do legally. Great shots as always.
 
Lowflynjack said:
Thanks! There's something about a door that opens like that, with stairs coming down that makes me realize I can never afford it!
Click to expand...

I have to say, there was definitely a good feeling when I started flying the 414 of opening that air stair door. Of course the Navajos I flew beforehand had it too, but the pressurized Twin Cessna doors have a much more satisfying latching mechanism (as they should, given the forces they're subjected to).

Groundpounder said:
Great photos! Never seen a 340 with aft fuselage strakes
Click to expand...

The strakes are a popular mod on the cabin class Twin Cessnas and can be installed on the 340 up through the 425 (maybe even the 441 now? I forget). They add stability (specifically reducing/eliminating Dutch Roll tendencies) and some say they also picked up speed in cruise. That last claim is more hotly debated - some have reported 5-10 KTAS in cruise, some have reported no change. I was considering them for the 414 but they didn't offer us much of a discount so it didn't seem worthwhile, especially since the benefits seemed to be inconclusive and stability wasn't something I cared about, all I really cared about was speed, climb rate, and efficiency. The 414 never had any Dutch Roll that I noticed.
 
Beautiful shots as always!

What's the thing, looks like an extra layer of plexiglass, in front of the pilot side windshield?
 
Dana said:
Beautiful shots as always!

What's the thing, looks like an extra layer of plexiglass, in front of the pilot side windshield?
Click to expand...
Thank you.

It a plate that heats up to melt ice.
 
Dana said:
...What's the thing, looks like an extra layer of plexiglass, in front of the pilot side windshield?
Click to expand...

Electric heated windshield plate. Part of the FIKI package.
Less expensive than having to replace an entire heated windshield if it fails.

BTW, you really need to figure out a way to get together with Jack and have him shoot your beautiful Hatz!
 
Ted said:
...The strakes are a popular mod on the cabin class Twin Cessnas and can be installed on the 340 up through the 425 (maybe even the 441 now? I forget). They add stability (specifically reducing/eliminating Dutch Roll tendencies) and some say they also picked up speed in cruise. That last claim is more hotly debated - some have reported 5-10 KTAS in cruise, some have reported no change. I was considering them for the 414 but they didn't offer us much of a discount so it didn't seem worthwhile, especially since the benefits seemed to be inconclusive and stability wasn't something I cared about, all I really cared about was speed, climb rate, and efficiency. The 414 never had any Dutch Roll that I noticed.
Click to expand...

Is Dutch Roll an issue in the 340? In turbulence?
 
GRG55 said:
Is Dutch Roll an issue in the 340? In turbulence?
Click to expand...

Supposedly it is, but I have very little 340 time so I can’t speak from experience there.
 
Dana said:
That'd be fun, but he's a long way away from New England...
Click to expand...

Meet in the middle. :D

Your Hatz would make for some awesome pictures to start one of Jack's threads. :thumbsup:
One was finished at my home airport in the spring of 2019, and I think they are among the most elegant of the small open cockpit biplanes.
 
Dana said:
That'd be fun, but he's a long way away from New England...
Click to expand...
I may be out that way next year when the leaves are changing!

I've got photos of my friend's Hatz somewhere. Also took some for EAA of a Hatz with a radial on it at OSH '19.
 
GRG55 said:
Is Dutch Roll an issue in the 340? In turbulence?
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t have called it an ‘issue’, but the tail would definitely wag a little in the bumps. The strakes helped (didn’t notice a cruise increase), but if I were the one writing the check I wouldn’t have bothered.
 
Lowflynjack said:
And the results!
50914785867_d2fbab8507_c.jpg
Click to expand...

Jack, I really need to stay away from your threads sometimes...:cool:

Ted said:
I have to say, there was definitely a good feeling when I started flying the 414 of opening that air stair door. Of course the Navajos I flew beforehand had it too, but the pressurized Twin Cessna doors have a much more satisfying latching mechanism (as they should, given the forces they're subjected to)...
Click to expand...

Ted: You'll probably remember when I first found this forum, our early conversations about how a 340 was the logical step up from my Aztec.

So Jack posts some pictures, I start asking questions, and next thing you know I'm perusing Cessna 340 aviation porn on Controller, and reading archived articles.

Save me before it's too late! :eek:

(That 50% increase in the fuel burn...yikes)

RussR said:
@Lowflynjack , I wonder if it's your photos that have caused a definite uptick in my 340 business this year!

Seriously, it seems like everyone I know is buying, or interested in the 340 in the last month or so.
Click to expand...

I'd blame it on Jack too! :D
 
Last edited:
GRG55 said:
Ted: You'll probably remember when I first found this forum, our early conversations about how a 340 was the logical step up from my Aztec.

So Jack posts some pictures, I start asking questions, and next thing you know I'm perusing Cessna 340 aviation porn on Controller, and reading archived articles.

Save me before it's too late! :eek:

(That 50% increase in the fuel burn...yikes)
Click to expand...

The 50% increase in fuel burn really isn’t that big of a deal. You’re going about 30% faster so while it is a good chunk more fuel, you’re getting speed to go with it and it mostly balances out.

The big issue with a 340 over the Aztec is the maintenance. If $20k for a windshield, $10k (per side) for an exhaust, and $65k per side for an engine scare you, a 340 isn’t for you. Not only are those accurate numbers but they’re likely to occur.

You're welcome. :)
 
Ted said:
...The big issue with a 340 over the Aztec is the maintenance. If $20k for a windshield, $10k (per side) for an exhaust, and $65k per side for an engine scare you, a 340 isn’t for you. Not only are those accurate numbers but they’re likely to occur.

You're welcome. :)
Click to expand...

Thank you Dr. T.
My C340 test came back negative. But they say I have to take another one in 6 days just to be sure. :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
kayoh190 said:
I wouldn’t have called it an ‘issue’, but the tail would definitely wag a little in the bumps. The strakes helped (didn’t notice a cruise increase), but if I were the one writing the check I wouldn’t have bothered.
Click to expand...
I’ve heard the same thing about the strakes, look cool, help a little with stability, but no 5 knot increase in cruise speed! Tip tank Cessnas that I’ve flown all had a little wiggle in turbulence.
 
RussR said:
Seriously, it seems like everyone I know is buying, or interested in the 340 in the last month or so.
Click to expand...

The reason for that is I was interested in a 340 for myself. So of course interest in 340s pick up in the GA world and prices go up....:lol:
 
My C414 has strakes. Frankly I don’t notice anything, so I believe any improvements are nominal. When I put the STEC 3100 the plane definitely suffered from Dutch roll. The strakes were not enough. Added the 3100 yaw damper and the roll problem totally went away.

but they look cool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top