Cessna 340
Cessna · United States · first flew 1971 · light aircraft
The Cessna 340 is a pressurised light twin combining the fuselage of the 310 with a new pressurised cabin, offering genuine comfort at altitude in a piston-powered package aimed at owner-pilots wanting to step up from unpressurised aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.46 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pressurised cabin twin — one of very few piston twins to offer cabin pressurisation
- Low-wing layout with retractable tricycle undercarriage and club seating for up to six
- Engines mounted in nacelles with distinctive cuffed spinner fairings on the Continental TSIO-520s
Similar in planform to the Cessna 310 but with a deeper fuselage cross-section reflecting the pressure vessel; the elongated nose and cabin windows are more numerous than the 310.
Specifications
- The Cessna 340 has a length of 10.46 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.62 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 435 km/h (270 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2 pilots + up to 4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1972, the 340 was developed alongside the 414 and 421 as part of Cessna's pressurised twin family. The 340A variant introduced in 1976 brought Continental TSIO-520-NB engines with improved reliability. Production ended in 1984 after around 1,300 examples were completed.
Variants
Original 340 and the improved 340A with ram-air induction; aftermarket RAM Aircraft modifications are popular including engine conversions and winglet additions.
Where you'll see it
The 340 remains highly regarded in North America as a capable personal transport and charter aircraft; a number have been imported to Europe where their pressurised comfort attracts touring pilots.
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