VH-REX. One week later, the type performed its first flight with paying customers on board; passengers on board this flight included Pope John Paul II.[5]. According to author Gunnar Eliasson, the selection of a turboprop engine made the type less attractive to airlines than jet-powered competitors, however recognised that the General Electric CT7-5A2 engine picked was quite competitive with the jet engines of that era. … With about half the operating costs of a regional jet, the Saab 340 can offer service in a … Seat 11 C is a standard Economy Class seat that is in the last row of the aircraft and may have limited recline. ", "Russia's Polet in talks to lease 25 Saab 340s. Seat 2 A is a standard Economy Class seat that is missing a window. On 25 January 1983, the Saab 340 conducted its maiden flight. ", "Saab makes Southeast Asia maritime surveillance push. Seat 9 B is a standard Economy Class seat. The Saab 340 aircraft is designed and certified to climb, cruise and land safely on one engine which explains why the General Electric (GE) engines on the Saab 340 have clocked over 30 million hours with an impeccable safety record. 2019/11/13 for Seat 1A, on Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest news, insights, and money-saving tips. During 1989, US regional airline American Eagle placed a large order for the type, procuring a total of 50 340Bs along with options for an additional 50 aircraft. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs … Seat 8 C is a standard Economy Class seat. First flown with the test registration 'SE-C84' - … ", "American Eagle starts phasing out Saabs. [12] By late 1998, as production was being slowed down towards an eventual shut down, Saab stated that it had been holding talks with a number of interested parties, reportedly including Indian and Chinese companies, on the potential sale of the 340 production line to another manufacturer. Primary operators include Regional Express with 52 aircraft, Silver Airways with 21, Loganair with 16, PenAir with 13, SprintAir with 12, and others with fewer aircraft of the type. 1 The average fleet age is based on our own calculations and may differ from other figures. It is designed to seat 30-36 passengers and, as of July 2018, there were 240 operational aircraft used by 34 different operators. Seat 3 B is a standard Economy Class seat. Seat 2 C is a standard Economy Class seat that is missing a window. A police helicopter on patrol spotted the Saab 340 propeller in bushland off The River Road at Revesby about midday on Tuesday. [25] By late 2010, Saab was evaluating the option of extending the certified lifespan of the 340 which, under the Maintenance Review Board programme, is typically limited to 60,000 hours; the company believes the maintenance programme could be extended to accommodate up to a 75,000 hour limit. The Saab 340 is a favorite among airline passengers due to its flexibility, comfort and reliable performance. [2] In 1974, the company decided to proceed with developing its first major civilian aircraft, having previously focused almost entirely upon military aircraft. [26], The existing aircraft have remained relatively active and competitive into the following decade. Seat 11 B is a standard Economy Class seat that is in the last row of the aircraft and may have limited recline. The Saab 340 is a favorite among aircraft passengers, offering flexibility, comfort and reliability, while operators value its cost-effective performance capabilities. ", "FARNBOROUGH: Saab expects first 340MSA sale soon. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Shortly following its launch onto the market in 1984, the Saab 340 became the best selling commuter aircraft in the world. [5] To match the new partnership, the type received the designation of SF340. Ever since 1983, the Saab 340 has been a popular aircraft family. Seat 6 A is a standard Economy Class seat that has extra legroom due to the exit. Disclaimer. REX is an airline which today still flys the SAAB 340 … [30], In December 2016, the fleet average is at 35,277 h and 39,446 cycles – a mean 0.89h per flight, less than halfway of its remaining life : the airframe life has been extended from 45,000 to 80,000 flight hours and 90,000 cycles and the Saab 340 should remain in service for another 30 years. (This seat is usually … REX Flight report - Sydney to Lismore - Saab 340 Join me on board as I fly from Sydney to Lismore, in NSW's north coast. [4] As conceived, the airliner was to match the performance of jets within its short-haul role. c/n 384. Read user reviews for Regional Express SAAB 340B (SF3). During the early 1990s, an enlarged derivative of the airliner, designated as the Saab 2000, was introduced. The plane type SAAB 340 is also known as ICAO type designator SF34 and features 2 engines. [8] Another change from earlier models was a more modern interior design and the moving of the lavatory compartment from the aft of the passenger cabin to just aft of the flight deck in most 3rd generation units. Seat 1 C is a standard Economy Class seat that has extra legroom due to the exit.