Could any pilots out there familiar with the A340 (any version) give me comments regarding the aircraft? I'm interested in hearing both the pro's and the con's that you see with the plane (things that it does well, things it lacks at, etc.) Perhaps you could compare it to any other aircraft you've flown if possible. I'm not trying to find out if this plane is 'better than another', so please don't let this get into an A vs. B war. We have to do a report on the plane along with some basic calculations, and I thought it would be really cool to have some opinions of those who have flown the aircraft in there. Anyone else with some comments regarding the aircraft would be appreciated too! Thanks in advance!
Specifically, we need to address 'for what purpose or mission was it designed', 'what has been its history and how well has it performed', and 'what lessons have been learned (if any) as a result of its performance history'. Of course, many of these questions have subjective answers, which is why I would like to mention a variety of opinions in the paper.
FlyInBack
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- Starlionblue
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RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting FlyInBack (Thread starter): 'for what purpose or mission was it designed' |
Long haul.
Seriously though, the 330 and 340 are different versions of the same aircraft. I don't know if a book is in the budget but this one should be very helpful http://www.amazon.com/Airbus-A340-A3...TF8&s=books&qid=1176643351&sr=8-11
RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
You would be better heading off to somewhere like PPRuNe, you'll find more pilots who have flown the A340 there than on A.net - careful where and how you ask though, they're very specific with their forums.
-Gofly
-Gofly
RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting FlyInBack (Thread starter): 'for what purpose or mission was it designed' |
TA11-100, 230 pax, 17 LD3s, 6830 nm (340-200 239 pax 26 LD3, 8000 nm)
TA11-200, 270 pax, 24 LD3s, 6830 nm (340-300 295 pax 33 LD3, 6400 nm)
| Quoting FlyInBack (Thread starter): 'what has been its history and how well has it performed' |
Does its role well with the same seat mile costs as a 744, over the same sort of distances. Good for long thin routes.
They are in service with 37 operators, the same number of operators the 777 is on service with.
| Quoting FlyInBack (Thread starter): 'what lessons have been learned (if any) as a result of its performance history' |
To push engine manufacturers harder for better engine performance.
In terms of book suggestions for you, try http://www.amazon.com/Airbus-Industr...125?ie=UTF8&qid=1176674717&sr=11-1
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- OceansWorld
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RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 1): Seriously though, the 330 and 340 are different versions of the same aircraft. I don't know if a book is in the budget but this one should be very helpful http://www.amazon.com/Airbus-A340-A3...=8-11 |
That's a really good book indeed. Both authors work for Flight International.
Here's another interesting one.
http://www.amazon.com/Airbus-A330-A3...458?ie=UTF8&qid=1176643351&sr=8-11
RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 5): SuperFan was cancelled |
I've never heard about it... could you elaborate?? maybe a higher by pass ratio CFM?
(A google search brought me plenty of Fan Clubs...
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RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Proj
| Quoting Mighluss (Reply 6):
Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 5): SuperFan was cancelled I've never heard about it... could you elaborate?? maybe a higher by pass ratio CFM? |
Well, it's not a fan club member.
SuperFan was the proposed powerplant for the 340. It had a geared, variable pitch (?) fan with very high bypass. Very innovative. Fuel savings were estimated at 20% over comparable contemporary engines. However, IAE dropped the ball late in the game (citing technical risks) and Airbus had to switch to the less powerful CFM56.
[Edited 2007-04-17 16:21:10]
RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting Mighluss (Reply 6): I've never heard about it... could you elaborate?? maybe a higher by pass ratio CFM? |
Superfan was a projected ultra high bypass ratio version of the IAE V2500, with a geared front fan. It never happened, leaving the A340 with only the less efficient alternative, the CFM56-5C.
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- Ferroviarius
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RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 7): SuperFan was the proposed powerplant for the 340. It had a geared, variable pitch (?) fan with very high bypass. Very innovative. Fuel savings were estimated at 20% over comparable contemporary engines. However, IAE dropped the ball late in the game (citing technical risks) and Airbus had to switch to the less powerful CFM56. |
| Quoting Jetlagged (Reply 8): Superfan was a projected ultra high bypass ratio version of the IAE V2500, with a geared front fan. It never happened, leaving the A340 with only the less efficient alternative, the CFM56-5C. |
Perhaps some early 342s might once be re-engined with P&Ws new geared engines in statu nascendi. This is nothing but a bare speculation from my side. However, if it would happen and if P&Ws new engine would turn out to be at least as fuel economic as projected - and there might be all reason to expect that -, A342s and A343s would become even more efficient than they - arguably, I admit - are today.
Best,
Ferroviarius
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RE: A340 Pilots - Comments Wanted (for School Project)
| Quoting LASOctoberB6 (Reply 10): Quoting Jetlagged (Reply 8): the CFM56-5C. isnt that similar to the 737 series? quite odd in my opionion.... |
The CFM56 series of engines powers quite a few aircraft. However, the engines within the family differ significantly. The -5C for th 340 has 31200-34000 lb of thrust, while the -7B, powering the 737NG, has 18500-27300b of thrust.
http://www.cfm56.com/index.php?level2=engines
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