SAAB 91 Safir

SE-ISG SAAB 340B c/n 162 of Golden Air at Groningen Airport Eelde in Holland on October 16, 1999

The SAAB 340 is a twin-engine transport aircraft with a max payload of 3200 kg or up to 3 crew and 35 passengers. Development of the SAAB 340 started in 1980 as a cooperative venture between SAAB-Scania from Sweden and Fairchild Industries from the USA. Development studies on a 30 to 40-seat commuter airliner resulted in the SF340 design that was launched in September 1980. Within the 65/35 SAAB/Fairchild partnership SAAB was responsible for the fuselage, fin and final assembly, while Fairchild was responsible for the wings, tail surfaces and the engine housings. The two companies selected the General Electric CT7 turboprop engine to power the new airliner. SAAB was also responsible for the systems integration, and flight-testing. The first SF340 prototype, s/n 001 SE-ISF, was flown on January 25th 1983. The first production aircraft, s/n 003 SE-ISB, was flown on August 25th 1983. Certification was completed on June 29th 1984. SAAB SF340A s/n 005 was the first delivered, and it went to Crossair on June 6th 1984. From November 1st 1985 SAAB assumed overall responsibility for the SF340 following the decision of Fairchild to divest itself of its aircraft divisions. SAAB initially retained the SF340 designation but later changed it to 340A. The aircraft was offered in an air transport configuration and an executive version. From the first deliveries, SAAB has continually developed and improved the aircraft. In 1985 an upgraded 340A version with increased MTOW was offered, and provision made for existing aircraft to be modified. In 1987 a freighter version 340QC (Quick Change) and in 1989 the 340B were introduced. The 340B again features upgraded engines, increased MTOW, and enlarged tail surfaces. For the Swedish military the SAAB-340AEW Erieye version was developed. Further developments include larger wings, and a 50 seat follow on version, the SAAB 2000 that flew in 1992. The last development of the 340 was the 340B Plus that introduced changes developed for the larger SAAB 2000. The first 340B Plus was delivered in March 1994. Production of the 340 ended in 1999 with a total of 459 airframes built.

Golden Air AB operates a number of SAAB 340 and 2000 aircraft out of Trollhattan in Sweden. Next to scheduled flights to destinations in Finland and Sweden Golden Air operates charter and air taxi flights. On October 16th 1999, their SAAB 340B SE-ISG (s/n 162) came in at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands with guests for the launching of a cargo ship on one of the shipyards in Groningen. This SAAB 340B was flown first on September 5th 1989, and delivered on October 27th 1989 as SE-ISG to Golden Air AB.