Cessna 340 - Startup, Departure, and Climb

Just a quick flight in the 340 back home. I had just landed about 20 minutes earlier, so the engines were warm and the right one needed a little convincing to start again. I ended up intentionally flooding it, then doing the flooded start procedure to get it going.

[@Niekenn]

Finally a video of a Cessna 340 that I can enjoy! My father used to fly one of these great planes many years ago. Keep it comin' bro! Fly safe!

[@buckrogers720]

Always enjoy your videos. Keep em' coming. Thanks.

[@Niekenn]

It's just me, or I just can't stop watching this video? It reminds me when I used to fly a C340 with my dad when I was just a little kid. Hope to fly this airplane in a few years.

[@yourcptspeaking]

I do believe in "checklists". That's why it was sitting on the passenger seat [out of view of the camera.] I also believe in flows, especially when flying single-pilot when you're responsible for everything, not the least of which is flying the airplane.

[@javacup912]

340's are nice. Better than a 402 (my opinion), and smaller than a 421. Other than the Garmin 430, that instrument panel looks very stock. Looks like it's got a hot plate too, which is a nice option. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@flybobbie1449]

Miss flying these. Love that point where you're lined up and bringing the power up on the brakes and the surge down the runway. Shame video spoilt by what sounds like camera tapping against window. Another on our field some years ago had a dv panel blow out at 18k. Driver said that was interesting!

[@carenadob58]

Thanks for video, from Naples

[@rocktruggy03]

Good one John. Classy pilot here folks.

[@jefar53]

thanks for sharing

[@OHAREAVIATION]

This is awesome, man. I have flown a C340 before.

[@yourcptspeaking]

Oh man, I LOVE my headset! Even after 5+ hour flights, it's still comfortable. They do take a little getting-used-to, just like a new pair of sunglasses.

[@notsoancientpelican]

Fine job of starting those engines, I admire your technique in doing what's required to get them going.

[@phillipmckie4913]

+notsoancientpelican But without a checklist? I would not be too impressed.

[@0Heavy0Metal0]

I have you beat! All I have to do is push one button on my key ring and my car starts. I don't have to mess with all those levers and buttons! And the only gauge I have to worry about is the gas gauge. Keep it full and I am golden. Ha! just kiddin'. Nice video and beautiful plane!

[@pancho1576]

Nice vid

[@yourcptspeaking]

I have no clue - In my 10+ years of flying in the USA, I've never seen or heard of any companies flying the 340. All of the 340s I've seen are privately owned and operated

[@TomCook1993]

nicely done with the engine start!

[@SgfGustafsson]

What, flooding the right engine lmao

[@maxcorder2211]

Are you a pilot? Probably not.

[@johnnywalker5635]

Gosh it is pretty irritating reading a bunch of Chair Flyers who think they know better. I am an airline pilot curious about buying a C340 and came across your video. Keep doing what youre doing. Everyone else needs to shut up. Absolutely nothing wrong with your single pilot checklist technique, nor how you start a hot engine, nor the left engine first. Who the **** do these people think they are. Youre better off disabling COMMENTS when posting a video. I have 6500TT and 5000 Turbine ME time, although turbine time is different from piston ME time, your'e doing nothing wrong that these posers think is wrong. Keep on flying and just ignore people. If I can make one comment, you can have 5 multi engine piston planes and every one of them will have unique characteristics whether it be engine starting, or flying straight, or certain cylinders that run hot or cold, or stall speed that is off from book speeds, or one of the three gears that come down sooner than the other. My point is you can have 5 C340A's parked on the ramp and tell all 5 pilots to use the same technique to start a hot engine with warm fuel lines and some wont start. Each engine is unique in of its self. If you have a lot of time in that particular serial number aircraft and you've figured out what "she likes" and it works, you dont heat up the starter or starter battery cables, or wear out the battery and get it started after 10 seconds, WHATS THE BLOODY PROBLEM! You found a technique that works for "that" engine on "that" plane. I could go on and on about these people's naive comments. PRESS ON and FLY STRAIGHT! I flew single pilot in a Single Pilot Typed Citation and I have comments about the checklist usage as well, but I will close my Soap Box....

[@Capt_Tarmac]

Johnny Walker what the hell is wrong with you? You say you are an airline pilot? I would toss your ass out of my cockpit . I’m also an airline pilot-and these folks responded to obvious problems with this bloke and they have a ton of common sense that you obviously lack. I’ve never had an incident or accident of any kind in over 30,000 hours and typed in B727, B757, B767, A320, A330, DC10, B747 and B744 and I will complete my 42 year career on the A350. Listen and learn from those posting here as they are way beyond you in professional understanding and competence.

[@topsecret1837]

Master Warning I may certainly not be a professional like he is or you, but I know that eventually I’m not going to look at my car mirrors or check the car seat, after a certain number of years where it may not be necessary. It’s certainly ideal to go over the checklist every now and then to check JUST to make sure, but I wouldn’t be so OCD to do things like starting left engine first, if I were a pilot. Frankly, attention to detail can mean the difference between life and death in a plane, but after a while you know what’s not going to fail as often and what might fail more frequently. It’s just a matter of experience.

[@snorkfire]

Top Secret That’s the day two guys like this guy both try to skip radio calls and meet on the runway. Keep the discipline and avoid crashes.

[@flightboi25]

Just a quick question what company or companies are flying the C340's I have seen most of the cargo companies flying the 402 and Navajos but haven't seen any 340's. Can you tell me which companies are still flying them?

[@MrBlk999]

What was your climb rate on departure? 500 or 1000 fpm?

[@ChrisMuncy]

Thanks for posting another video Jon. Question: It really looks like that windscreen needs to be replaced, especially the right side. How is it in real life?

[@JimForeman]

I was always taught to start the right engine first so I could hear it start and clear up then go to the left engine which I could see.

[@bman2101]

The procedure in all twin Cessna's is to start the left engine first because it is closer to the battery.

[@scottduchesne3874]

bman2101 not true. most 414 and 421 drivers will start the right engine first to get the air conditioning going. the A/C pump is on the right engine.

[@bman2101]

Well you can say "not true" all you want, but I've owned a 414A for the last 17 years, and I'm telling you that the battery is, in fact, closer to the left engine, and that the standard procedure is, in fact, to start the left engine first. It is true that some Part 135 operators choose to start the right first to run the AC, but the majority do not. Most twin Cessnas are not being operated by two person crews, meaning that the pilot would have to leave the cockpit with an engine running once the passengers arrive to stow the baggage, get the passengers secure, and close up the airplane. Any responsible operator would never even consider this practice. Whenever I operate my aircraft Part 135 on a hot day, I make sure the airplane is well ventilated before the passengers arrive, and get the AC going as soon as the engines are running. The factory AC system does a fantastic job, and the aircraft cools off in just a few minutes.

[@JimForeman]

bman2101 You load passengers and luggage with an engine running????? Not me.

[@bman2101]

Can you read? I made it pretty clear that this was a practice that, and I quote my above comment, "Any responsible operator would never even consider." This would include myself. What I was trying to say was that there is no point in starting the right engine first to run the air conditioning because even if circumstances that allowed for the safe loading of baggage and passengers with an engine running, it would be unsafe to do so without a crew member in the cockpit. You obviously cannot leave a crew member in the cockpit when there is only one crew member. Now lets assume that youve already boarded and secured the aircraft, and are ready for engine start. It would make no sense to start the right engine first for the purpose of running the air conditioning. First off, regardless of which engine you start first, youll be starting the other one right behind the first. There would be no time benefit to starting the right engine first to run the air conditioning when youre going to be starting the left one less than a minute later. Second, running the air conditioning while starting the left engine will place an unnecessary draw on the right alternator, resulting in a reduced amount of current to crank the left engine. Now you could always turn off the alternator, but this means that both the air conditioning AND the left starter are going to draw entirely from the battery, resulting in an enormous load. Here's what it all boils down to. The standard procedure for starting a twin Cessna, from the 310 (which we also used to own) all the way up to the Garrett powered 441 Conquest II (which ' also have experience in) is to start the left engine first. This is for the simple reason that the distance from the left starter motor to the battery is shorter in wire length than the distance from the right starter motor. This results in better amperage for cranking on the left side. It's especially important when it's cold out. But don't take my word for it. Ask any twin Cessna owner / operator. They'll tell you the same thing.

[@efhn]

So want one!

[@joelzimmerman2462]

Additionally, having flown the the CE-210P, CE-340A, CE-414A, CE-421C, TS-601P, PA-602P, PA-31T, (Cheyenne I, II, II-XL), AC-680, AC690A-B, AC-840, AC-1000, the landing field pressurization settings are a part of the descent checklist. Yes, you want to set this because it's hard on your ears if you don't (upon touch down the outflow valve automatically opens to the current field elevation and pressure). But , if the system is working properly and is set on the controller, you won't notice. Pressure Hypoxia has never been a problem because NO pressure controller I've EVER worked with would allow me to set above 11K feet for landing.

[@ecktoeman]

Very quiet cabin, quieter than a King Air it seems, is this typical for a C340?

[@australiantaco1]

What altitude did you level off?

[@alexprescott6230]

I like to have cockpit sound, tower talk, checklist rundown etc. without denies learning experience!

[@motokid032]

My head went back in my seat when he onset power for takeoff...

[@yourcptspeaking]

They must be used in your area of the country much more then. I've seen several 340's privately owned, but in my area, most 135 operators don't have any piston aircraft.

[@ob_gyn_inc]

Great videos! Excuse my ignorance but why did you have to flood the engine to get it to start? You have the best job ever, it seems. Keep up the good work man!

[@yourcptspeaking]

Not sure if I responded previously - sorry for the delay if I didn't! Sometimes piston engines can be a little finicky and require just the right mixture to start - especially when they've just been run and are hot. Rather than continually guessing whether there's not enough or too much fuel in the cylinders already, sometimes it's easier to just flood it and then do the flooded start procedure. At least then you know what you're working with and don't burn out the starter guessing.

[@sarahwatson7692]

yourcptspeaking I used to rent a Bellanca that was very tricky to hot start.

[@yourcptspeaking]

Swann Freestyle HD. A not-so-great knock-off of the GoPro. I found a great deal on it and thought I'd give it a try, but I wouldn't do it again

[@yourcptspeaking]

Nothing wrong - the camera is just picking up the ambient noise. I didn't record the ATC another way and didn't have the airplane's speaker on either

[@PilotCJensen]

What camera?

[@yourcptspeaking]

Eh, it's hard to tell. The 340 is pretty noisy without a headset, but it's difficult to compare to a King Air, because those can be pretty noisy up front, but fairly quiet in the back. Tough comparison too since one is a piston twin and the other a turboprop

[@ridge9066]

What airport is this?

[@eddyandresfernandezmarin8990]

saludos soy de Costa Rica que poder de maquina

[@f470]

You fly for a living or just recreation?

[@ThatPilotDude]

340s are all over the place flying for 135 outfits. Aero flight in Seattle even had a couple before they folded. I fly one for a 135 as we'll. I see they on occasion while flying air attack for the forest service. You must not see very much in 10yrs of flying.

[@tranlove468]

Nice c340 she looks buetful well her cab dose

[@Niekenn]

What's wrong with ATC? Can't hear it.

[@bman2101]

Assuming the engines and the fuel controllers are rigged properly, the easiest way to hot start a TSIO520 is to treat it as a normal start, but without a prime. I usually just open the throttle a tad, and press the starter. If it hesitates, a quick shot of primer is usually all it takes to get her going.

[@mportell]

nice to be able to wear the small headset.

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

what the hell is that noise?

[@rolling6ballzon6ixxxx3]

This has always been my dream plane to fly I'm raising money to go to flight school and get this plane

[@RakanKongsiBuragas]

I dont know why i like this type of aircraft.

[@yourcptspeaking]

I wouldn't mind if a new one was put in - this one is a little old and has some scratches, but it's not unsafe.

[@thomasmiedema3409]

WHERE IS THE CHECKLIST !!!!!

[@maxcorder2211]

They don’t need them these days. Immediately upon watching the first 15 seconds of this video had the same reaction. Checklists are of no benefit until they have been neglected.

[@92fsoakcreek]

Im willing to bet the crew of AF447 would have done anything for a set of steam gauges.... :) "...because I've seen videos...." Priceless.

[@yourcptspeaking]

Every fuel-injected plane I've flown has a mixture control. It's a fact of piston-engine-powered airplanes. There's no substantial engine-related workload increase in this plane compared to a FADEC-controlled turbofan though. If your only source of information is videos, it might be enlightening for you to go to your local airport and take a few flying lessons. Once you learn about the technology and its reliability, you might change your mind. And who knows, you might even have some fun :)

[@danpend]

Am I missing something, or did I just not see a reference to a checklist? Maybe it's something new with the new technology and the aircraft complete's its own checklist. IDK.

[@phillipmckie4913]

+danpend Wrong, no Checklist was used and that is not safe flying for ya...

[@danpend]

+PHILLIP MC KIE : I have to agree. Checklist should always be referenced no matter what and I don't even fly anymore.

[@sarahwatson7692]

PHILLIP MC KIE Checklist? Hmmmm? Engine failure during climb out. Let’s get out the old checklist and go through it to make sure we are not missing anything. Oh yeah-checklist.

[@DANCINGERN]

GOOD VIDEO AND GOOD PLACEMENT OF THE VIDEO CAMERA. WOULD BE NICE IF YOU COULD PLACE VD CAMERA SOME WHERE BEHIND THE SEAT SO WE COULD CHECK FOR TRAFFIC. WHERE IS THE CHECKLIST FOR STARTUP AND YELLING START WITH WINDOW ON PILOTS SIDE OPENS? IF POSS COULD YOU LETS US HEAR RADIO TRAFFIC AND COMMUNICATIONS SO WE CAN MONITOR CONDITIONS IF POSS. I NOTICED YOU HAD A THIN HEADSET ON SO THAT MEANS YOU DEFFINATLY WANT TO HEAR THE RADIO TRAFFIC. THE ENGINES SOUNDED VERY GOOD. NO MUSIC GOOD, JUST ENGS.

[@charlesdugnolle2216]

What! No printed checklist? Nice video though

[@Niekenn]

You should put ATC on videos like this.

[@yourcptspeaking]

Actually, this plane has better technology than some of the planes the airlines are still flying. Also, it has fuel-injected turbocharged engines, so even if anybody has unfounded beliefs that carbureted engines on airplanes are dangerous, they wouldn't have to worry about it with a 340.

[@joelzimmerman2462]

I can't leave it at 2 more things! Teledyne-Continental Engines vs - Textron Lycoming Engines, hot starts are two different things. When HOT starting Continentals use the flooded start procedures because they are usually vapor locking, so, mixture Full, Throttle Low, fuel pump - ON, the hot fuel is by passed by fuel injectors (Continental only) to main tanks. Then, after 30 secs, mixture - lean, then engine start switch- PRESS. Throttle cracked at 25 %. IF NO-START, then Throttle - FUll , Mixture - OFF/ Full Lean. Crank/Starter button( same as flooded start procedure). Upon ignition, quickly advance mixture to full and reduce throttle position to idle. My Experience: (1K hrs.) Teledyne O-520-GTSIO-520L

[@ldmax]

I was surprised to see the engine start with mixture rich. The second engine gives him some trouble and he does go to mixture lean. Granted, I have no experience with fuel injected Continentals. Fuel injected Lycomings always start with mixture lean. Cold start requires priming, hot start doesn't.

[@ThatPilotDude]

*them

[@hawker800FO]

i cant stand that type of headet, doesnt seem to fit me to well never going to give up my DC's got an X11 and an h10-13s as a backup. AWESOME video

[@jefar53]

Checklist are a sign of weakness in my opinion , go by flows Mixture pumps lights speed flaps

[@joelzimmerman2462]

Don't take the comments about checklist usage too hard, they're right. Given a checklist in view and referenced IS what the litigious environment in which we now operate in, today, demands. Yes, this VFR takeoff can be handled with a simple mnemonic checklist (Hdg, Flaps, Mixture, Props). This is NOT like the B767-300ERW I fly (triple IRU's, triple GPS, dual FMS's). Still, our Before Takeoff Checklist is simply; Capt, "Before TAKEOFF Checklist", FO response; "Flaps X", Capt response, "Flaps X", FO response, "Before TAKEOFF Checklist Complete". Usually, a token item is stowed from the front instrument panel, and Yes, it's the laminated copy of the Checklist. And yet, what they don't know is we, as all pilots, are trained to check engine indications, and Hdg alignment to the runway before advancing throttles for takeoff. So, in summary, keep the checklist in view, even if you have it memorized. Regards, JDZ (16K total) - ATP-MEL; LR-JET(2K hrs), B757 & B767(9K hrs); CFII-SMEL; FE-Turbojet; A&P (Airframe & Powerplant); CTO (Control Tower Operator); AGI

[@Spartan536]

There is NOTHING wrong with a piston or turboprop powered aircraft, especially ones from Cessna, Piper, or Beechcraft. Those 3 companies are known as top tier manufacturers and lots of their aircraft are flown worldwide and have thousands and thousands of flight hours on them with no failures.

[@bobl78]

yeah sure, a 340 is better then a 777 or an A340... of course Is the engine fully electronic fuel injected ? Because Ive seen videos of fuel injected planes where mixture still has to be set... so just a mechanical fuel injection for better economy and power... but not to take away babysitting the engine from the pilot

[@phillipmckie4913]

As a qualified Commercial/ ATP pilot I am not impressed by guys not using a checklist. It does not matter how many hours one can have in a type. A checklist is always important. I strongly recommend all fellow pilots to always refer back to a checklist...

[@yourcptspeaking]

As the PIC and the only one who was there, I strongly recommend referring to the reply I gave to somebody else a mere four hours previous to you regarding the same topic.

[@johnstevens9732]

I don't know what your experience level is but as a CFIMEI I'm not impressed watching anyone not use a checklist. You're flying a high performance pressurized twin. All it takes is to forget the cabin pressure controller one time and the next thing you know you're getting hipoxic and passing out if you don't catch it in time. You didn't even refer back to a checklist to double check your steps. If you were ever investigated by the FAA for anything, they could watch this video and draw conclusions about you and your piloting skills and by not using a checklist they'd be starting off with a bad impression. Do yourself and your passengers a favor, take a couple extra minutes and make sure you get home safe.

[@yourcptspeaking]

I've replied to this concern a few times previously I think, but I'll do it again for the sake of clarification. The checklist was on the right seat just out of sight of the camera. I'm also a MEI, although I don't do any instruction anymore. I'm a firm believer that in single-pilot operations, the use of flows is invaluable. I'll back the flow up with the checklist, but in an airplane that I'm intimately familiar with, it is safer to fly the plane and watch what you're doing, then back the flow up with the checklist when the opportunity arises. I've seen plenty of students bust altitudes or turn to the wrong heading - even get themselves into an unusual attitude - because they were so focused on the checklist telling them how to aviate. Thanks for your concern!

[@johnstevens9732]

Thanks for replying so quickly. If you're using a flow with checklist backup that's fine by me with your experience. You might want to consider adding audio to your videos so you can explain that to all the low time or future pilots that are watching. It just looks bad when nobody knows what you're actually doing.

[@billjuhasz3875]

As an ex USAF pilot I get the concept of using checklists but I agree that when you are very familiar with the plane, and the plane isn't all that complex (not like a B-52 or similar very complicated aircraft) simply following a well rehearsed routine can be safer. Back in my B-52 days we had a crew fly into the ground at night because the two pilots were so fixated on the checklist that nobody was watching the flir/EVS or looking out the window. We changed our procedures after that to make sure at least one pilot had his head up anytime we were flying low level. As a side note, we also had a crew that flew into the ground at night flying low level while both pilots were asleep. They were in gently rising terrain and the plane was maintaining altitude, eventually terrain and airplane were at the same altitude. It's hard to impress upon people just how tired a B-52 crew can get after flying 10-14 hour missions, generally every other day, often showing up to fly in the afternoon and landing the next day. These could be 20 hour days and I saw pilots asleep while flying 200ft AGL in the mountains at night, in and out of clouds, makes me shiver just to think of what might have happened. Point is, checklists are important but fly the plane first, everything else is secondary.

[@andreybukhtin3673]

does not use the checklist only son whores, it is very important.

[@sarahwatson7692]

John Stevens How would you forget the cabin controller? How would that be possible?

[@eaglepilot899]

You shouldn't have to reply to his ignorance. Any pilot will enjoy flying no matter how old or shit technology, he's just mad cause hes not a pilot

[@rhousman8563]

Mmmm.....Did I miss the previews or is he NOT using a checklist! Setting instruments while taxing, and no hand(s) on the control wheel during taxi.. Not setting the parking brake before an engine runup! Very poor training!

[@jackjohnson7804]

SafeTaxi does it automatically

[@joejimmerson4603]

Not using a parking brake is good practice, we get complacent

[@conrad1549]

Not sure he check the flight controls.......upper and lower!!! Get out the checklist.

[@Scote1992]

You obviously don't listen. He does use checklists and so do I. You on the other hand need to learn to spell and when to use capitals

[@charlesburnett9209]

Failure to show use of a checklist is unprofessional.

[@eeyore.official]

+Charles Burnett No, it shows he knows how to fly his airplane confidently, and most likely has a lot of time on it.

[@charlesburnett9209]

Lucas:Read about FAA requirements for use of a checklist.Failure to use one on any checkride costitutes a failing grade.Checklists are a critical component of safe flying for ALL pilots.

[@phillipmckie4913]

+Lucas Reed Still no reason not to use a checklist. Overconfidence and Macho attitudes can lead to accidents. Have you ever got into your car and drive off with the hand brakes set? I am sure you have. I am also certain that you may have driven your car tons of times. Now if you were to use a checklist to drive your car I am sure you will never forget to lower the hand brakes.

[@vertol642]

I love the vigor with witch you believe using a checklist is REQUIRED...Now back this up and please show me what part of 14 CFR 91.??? .... Requires use of a checklist under part 91 flying. ....Like for instance calculating take off and landing distance....14cfr91.103 ....smart,yes, REQUIRED??.....prove it please...

[@Scote1992]

You need a grammar and spelling checklist.

[@jefar53]

A Checklist is for inexperienced pilots

[@92fsoakcreek]

Use of the checklist to confirm memory items is a requirement. You cant get a rating without doing it. This is a good example video. He forgot to check the mixture until he was past the HS line, then saw it and jammed them forward. This is a turbocharged engine and would have cooked the exhausts/turbos and possibly some heads otherwise. Checklists are a way to show your professionalism. If you are a low hour sunday flyer, then you will break something. Hopefully you will own it.

[@92fsoakcreek]

Just passed the IFR written, now on to the Air work. Goal to finish MEI by years end. I own a C210.

[@deano50z]

+92fsoakcreek How was the IFR ?

[@vertol642]

Required? Hm, other than the PTS and now ACS on a check ride it is NOT required....feel free to prove me wrong and show me in the regulations under part 91

[@bobl78]

i know why i dont fly with these small planes..shit technology... carburate engines in 2013 where pilots can make so many errors....not with me