About This File
FS2002 ProjectAI ANK Air Nippon Saab S340B. The Saab 340 was a product of a 1979 joint feasibility study involving Fairchild and Saab-Scania, into a 30-40 seat commercial airliner design. The SF340 was launched in 1980. Saab was responsible for fuselage, fin and final assembly, and Fairchild was responsible for wings, engines and empennage. The first prototype flew 25 January 1983, with production aircraft following from 1984. From the beginning of November 1985 Saab took over production entirely, eventually re-designating the aircraft from SF340 to 340A. Deliveries of a more powerful version, the 340B, commenced in 1989. A further improved 340B Plus followed in 1994; but slow sales forced production to cease in 1998. The aircraft fulfills regional route rolls. The 340 is powered by two GE CT7-5A2 turboprops. The aircraft is 64 feet (19.73m) long and has a wingspan of 70 feet (21.44m). It flies at a maximum cruise speed of 278 kts (515 km/hr) and has a range of 785 nm (1455 km). The aircraft accomodates a crew of two and typically 33-35 passengers.