The Cessna 340A aircraft on offer is optimized for cruising. It has been doing its job reliably for 46 years. Even if the aircraft was built 46 years ago, essential parts are considerably younger.
Engines
Aircraft engines have a specified maximum operating time of 1,600 hours. That is why, of course, the original engines no longer do their job. Every year, the engines are serviced in the annual inspection and subjected to a special inspection.
Avionics
The available navigation techniques have changed significantly over the past 15 years. Today satellite services are used: Iridium satellites are used for GPS or Galileo navigation, which is accurate to the meter. The well-known (display) instruments, affectionately called "Steamgauges", can no longer be found here. State-of-the-art avionics was built into the D-IBAM, the last update only in April 2020. Many line captains would like this electronics. This enables safe route navigation and a precise approach.
Instrument flight - Visual flight
There are two types of flights in global airspace: visual flight rules (VFR) flights and instrument flight rules (IFR) flights. Both have advantages and disadvantages. With VFR you are more flexible and sometimes a little cheaper because you don't need the controllers, with IFR you are more independent of the weather. The best thing is, depending on the circumstances, you can choose the cheapest for the current situation. IFR flights require a higher qualification from pilot and aircraft. The offered Cessna 340A fulfills these requirements.
Cabin class
The Cessna 340A belongs to the so-called cabin class. The door, which can be folded out, serves as stairs to the cabin. The spacious interior can be reached via this easy entry. Six seats are available for pilot and passengers, the rear 4 in club arrangement. The space is the largest in this class. Nothing stands in the way of a comfortable journey. While the aircraft glides along at 200kts at 7,000m, the passengers appreciate the pressurized cabin. Of course, oxygen masks are also available for emergency. There is also plenty of space for luggage: in the rear of the cabin, in the nose and in the engine nacelles left and right.
Cruising altitude - speed - range
Depending on the weather, wind and flight route, the pilot selects an altitude between 1,000m and 8,000m. The higher, the faster: The aircraft itself flies at 23,000ft at a speed of more than 200kts (= 380kmh). The wind speed can be more than 80kts at this altitude. Luckily you have a tail wind, then you may fly more than 280 kt related to the ground.
The flight can take more than 5 hours. This means that a distance of nearly 1,200nm can be covered, depending on wind, fuel level, and flight rules.