Saab - 340 Msfs 2020

Using the Carenado version as our benchmark (since it is available now), the flight model of the Saab 340 is a lesson in asymmetry.

Takeoff Performance: The Saab 340 requires right rudder. A lot of right rudder. Unlike a Cessna 172, torque and P-factor in the CT7 engines are brutal. If you no longer trust your feet, the 340 will pull you off the runway and into the grass. The MSFS ground handling model captures this "tail-dragger-like" aggression surprisingly well. Rotation is smooth at roughly 100 knots, and the climb rate at max gross weight is satisfyingly anemic—very realistic for a hot day at a high-altitude airport.

In Cruise: This is where the turboprop shines. At FL180 (the typical ceiling for short hops), the Saab 340 sits in a sweet spot of 190 to 210 knots. The autopilot (the classic Sperry SPZ-450) is faithfully replicated. It requires manual intervention with altitude preselect and vertical speed management. It is not an Airbus—you must trim the aircraft, or you will chase altitudes all day. saab 340 msfs 2020

Descent & Landing: The 340 is slippery. Unlike a jet, pulling the throttles back to idle feels like deploying a speed brake. You will learn to plan your descent 10 miles earlier than you think you need. Landing is a joy; the trailing-link landing gear absorbs hard landings forgivingly, but greasing a landing requires managing the beta range (reverse thrust) carefully.

Takeoff from Gander Runway 03: Torque to 100% (or max 3,900 ft-lbs), prop lever full forward (1,700 RPM). Rotate at 100 knots. Using the Carenado version as our benchmark (since

The story’s lesson: After gear up, reduce torque to 90%, props to 1,500 RPM, condition levers remain low idle. The Saab climbs slowly — 1,500 ft/min initially, then 700 ft/min at 15,000 ft. Don’t rush.

You level at FL180. Outside, the Atlantic is dark. Ice starts forming on the windshield — yes, MSFS simulates airframe ice. You turn on engine anti-ice and wing de-ice boots. Note: The Saab’s boots cycle automatically in some mods, but you verify via the pneumatic panel. Carenado was the first major developer to release

Carenado was the first major developer to release a Saab 340 for MSFS. As expected from Carenado, the exterior model and cockpit textures are breathtaking. The 3D modeling is arguably best-in-class, featuring realistic weathering, accurate PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials, and a gorgeous night lighting setup.

The Verdict on Carenado: It is a "middle-fidelity" aircraft. The systems are not fully depth-simulated. You won't find circuit breaker logic or hydraulic pressure bleed failures. However, for the casual simmer who wants to fly regional routes with a beautiful model and a decent flight model, Carenado’s version is a solid entry point.

When the right Saab 340 launches for MSFS 2020 (or MSFS 2024), here is what the hardcore sim pilot will demand: