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weight and performance calculations for the Convair CV-340

A picture containing outdoor, sky, ground, plane

Description automatically generated

Convair CV-340

role : commuter prop 50

importance : ****

first flight : 5 October 1951 operational : March 1952

country : United States of America

design :

production : 209 aircraft (plus 117 for US Air Force and Navy)

general information :

The CV-340 was an improved version of the CV-240. It had more powerful engines, a

1.36m extended fuselage and a 4.14m larger wingspan. It could now carry 4 more

passengers than the CV-240. This implementation was also a success. KLM purchased

14 CV-340’s that were used on the European network from 1953 to 1964.

primary users : Braniff, United Airlines (30), KLM (14), Lufthansa, Continental, Delta

flight crew : 2 cabin crew : 2 passengers : 44

powerplant : 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16 Double Wasp air-cooled 18 -cylinder

radial engine 2400 [hp](1789.7 KW) normal rating, supercharged engine, high blower,

constant power to height : 4000 [m] and with 2500 [hp](1864.2 KW) available for

take-off

dimensions :

wingspan : 32.12 [m], length : 24.12 [m], height : 8.58 [m]

wing area : 85.5 [m^2]

weights :

max.take-off weight : 21320 [kg]

empty weight operational : 13375 [kg] useful load : 4400 [kg]

performance :

maximum continuous speed : 538 [km/u] op 4000 [m]

normal cruise speed : 457 [km/u] op 5486 [m] (70 [%] power)

service ceiling : 9150 [m]

range with max fuel : 2600 [km] and allowance for 122.5 [km] diversion and 30 [min]

hold

description :

low-winged monoplane with retractable landing gear with nose wheel

tapered multi-cellular wing with flush-riveted stressed skin

with Fowler flaps airfoil : NACA

engines and landing gear attached to the wings, fuel tanks in the wings

Convair 340 / 440 / 580 for X-Plane - Paid Work - Blender Artists Community

construction : all-metal aluminium-alloy stressed-skin construction with pressurized

fuselage. fuselage shape : O

airscrew :

two Hamilton Standard constant speed 3 -bladed tractor airscrews

max. efficiency : 0.78 [ ]

diameter airscrew 4.11 [m]

relative pitch (J) : 1.95 [ ]

power loading prop : 290.30 [KW/m]

high power loading prop > more bladed prop needed

theoretical pitch without slip : 8.89 [m]

blade angle prop at max.speed : 43.57 [ ]

tip-speed close to speed of sound (above Mach 0.85) > loose of efficiency

reduction : 0.40 [ ]

airscrew revs : 1120 [r.p.m.]

aerodynamic pitch at max. continuous speed 8.00 [m]

blade-tip speed at max.continuous speed : 284 [m/s]

propellor noise in flight : 98 [Db]

calculation : *1* (dimensions)

measured wing chord : 2.63 [m] at 50% wingspan

mean wing chord : 2.66 [m]

calculated average wing chord tapered wing with rounded tips: 2.56 [m]

Convair CV-240 familie

KLM PH-TGO approaching with full flaps extended

wing aspect ratio : 12.1 []

seize (span*length*height) : 6647 [m^3]

calculation : *2* (fuel consumption)

oil consumption : 32.2 [kg/hr]

fuel consumption (econ. cruise speed) : 714.1 [kg/hr] (974.2 [litre/hr]) at 70 [%] power

distance flown for 1 kg fuel : 0.64 [km/kg] at 5486 [m] height, sfc : 285.0 [kg/kwh]

estimated total fuel capacity : 6291 [litre] (4611 [kg])

calculation : *3* (weight)

weight engine(s) dry with reduction gear : 2136.0 [kg] = 0.60 [kg/KW]

weight 334.5 litre oil tank : 28.43 [kg]

oil tank filled with 26.8 litre oil : 24.1 [kg]

oil in engine 19.9 litre oil : 17.9 [kg]

fuel in engine 24.4 litre fuel : 17.90 [kg]

weight 414.2 litre gravity patrol tank(s) : 62.1 [kg]

weight jet stacks : 89.5 [kg]

weight NACA cowling 80.2 [kg]

weight variable pitch control : 20.7 [kg]

weight airscrew(s) incl. boss & bolts : 518.0 [kg]

total weight propulsion system : 2974 [kg](13.9 [%])

***************************************************************

fuselage aluminium frame : 2386 [kg]

typical cabin layout for 44 passengers : pitch : 81 [cm] ( 2+2 ) seating in 11.0 rows

pax density (normal seating) : 0.86 [m2/pax]

theoretical high density seating passengers : 52 at 4-abreast seating in 13.0 rows

weight 1 toilets : 6.9 [kg]

weight 3 hand fire extinguisher : 10 [kg]

weight pantry : 35.0 [kg]

D-ACUM Lufthansa Convair CV-340-80 Photo by Peter Scharkowski | ID 782480 |  Planespotters.net

Lufthansa D-ACUM

weight 24 windows : 21.6 [kg]

weight 4 emergency exits : 12.0 [kg]

weight oxygen masks & oxygen generators : 28.6 [kg]

weight emergency flare installation : 10 [kg]

weight emergency evacuation slide : 15 [kg]

weight 2 entrance/exit doors : 24.0 [kg]

extra main deck space for freight/mail/luggage etc. : 7.33 [m3]

cabin volume (usable), excluding flight deck : 72.01 [m3]

passenger cabin max.width : 2.70 [m] cabin length : 14.06 [m] cabin height : 2.00 [m]

pressure at cruise height 6100.00 [m] : 0.47 [kg/cm2] cabin pressure : 0.86 [kg/cm2]

weight rear pressure bulkhead : 77.6 [kg]

weight air pressurization system : 19.0 [kg]

fuselage covering ( 142.6 [m2] duraluminium 2.28 [mm]) : 852.2 [kg]

weight floor beams : 70.2 [kg]

weight cabin furbishing : 172.4 [kg]

weight cabin floor : 252.0 [kg]

fuselage (sound proof) isolation : 55.1 [kg]

weight radio transceiver equipment : 7.0 [kg]

weight radio direction finding (RDF) equipment : 5.0 [kg]

weight artificial horizon : 1.1 [kg]

weight instruments. : 11.0 [kg]

weight APU / engine starter: 89.5 [kg]

weight lighting : 11.0 [kg]

weight electricity generator : 11.0 [kg]

weight controls : 11.5 [kg]

weight seats : 240.0 [kg]

weight air conditioning : 66 [kg]

total weight fuselage : 4430 [kg](20.8 [%])

***************************************************************

total weight aluminium ribs (409 ribs) : 760 [kg]

weight engine mounts : 179 [kg]

weight two 2938 [litre] main fuel tanks empty : 470.1 [kg]

weight wing covering (painted aluminium 2.29 [mm]) : 1056 [kg]

total weight aluminium spars (multi-cellular wing structure) : 1145 [kg]

A picture containing text, outdoor, plane, airplane

Description automatically generated the CV-340 has 11 cabin windows, as can be seen by this Cruzeiro do Sul PP-CDW

weight wings : 2961 [kg]

weight wing/square meter : 34.63 [kg]

cantilever wing without bracing cables

weight rubber de-icing boots : 35.3 [kg]

weight fin & rudder (12.0 [m2]) : 416.5 [kg]

weight stabilizer & elevator (9.6 [m2]): 333.7 [kg]

weight fowler flaps (7.1 [m2]) : 129.4 [kg]

total weight wing surfaces & bracing : 4525 [kg] (21.2 [%])

*******************************************************************

wheel pressure : 4690.4 [kg]

weight 4 Dunlop main wheels (950 [mm] by 146 [mm]) : 403.2 [kg]

weight 2 Dunlop nose wheels : 100.8 [kg]

weight hydraulic wheel-brakes : 17.8 [kg]

weight pneumatic-hydraulic shock absorbers : 23.7 [kg]

weight wheel hydraulic operated retraction system : 258.8 [kg]

weight undercarriage struts with axle 476.6 [kg]

total weight landing gear : 1280.8 [kg] (6.0 [%]

*******************************************************************

********************************************************************

calculated empty weight : 13210 [kg](62.0 [%])

weight oil for 6.8 hours flying : 219.9 [kg]

calculated operational weight empty : 13430 [kg] (63.0 [%])

published operational weight empty : 13375 [kg] (62.7 [%])

A picture containing outdoor, grass, ground, plane

Description automatically generated

KLM CV-340 PH-CGF

weight crew : 324 [kg]

weight fuel for 2.0 hours flying : 1428 [kg]

weight catering : 87.6 [kg]

weight water : 35.0 [kg]

********************************************************************

operational weight empty: 15305 [kg](71.8 [%])

weight 44 passengers : 3388 [kg]

weight luggage : 537 [kg]

weight cargo : 475 [kg]

operational weight loaded: 19705 [kg](92.4 [%])

fuel reserve : 1615.3 [kg] enough for 2.26 [hours] flying

operational weight fully loaded : 21320 [kg] with fuel tank filled for 66 [%]

published maximum take-off weight : 21320 [kg] (100.0 [%])

calculation : * 4 * (engine power)

power loading (Take-off) : 5.72 [kg/kW]

power loading (operational without useful load) : 4.28 [kg/kW]

power loading (Take-off) 1 PUF: 11.44 [kg/kW]

max.total take-off power : 3728.5 [kW]

calculation : *5* (loads)

manoeuvre load : 4.7 [g] at 1000 [m]

limit load : 3.0 [g] ultimate load : 4.5 [g] load factor : 1.7 [g]

design flight time : 3.98 [hours]

design cycles : 6516 sorties, design hours : 25949 [hours]

operational wing loading : 2309 [N/m^2]

wing stress (3 g) during operation : 200 [N/kg] at 3g emergency manoeuvre

calculation : *6* (angles of attack)

angle of attack zero lift : -1.71 ["]

max. angle of attack (stalling angle, clean) : 11.64 ["]

ConVair CV-340 / Convair 340 | Alineport.com

max. angle of attack (full flaps) : 10.75 ["]

angle of attack at max. speed : 0.34 ["]

calculation : *7* (lift & drag ratios

lift coefficient at angle of attack 0° : 0.16 [ ]

lift coefficient at max. speed : 0.19 [ ]

lift coefficient at max. angle of attack : 1.25 [ ]

max.lift coefficient full flaps : 1.68 [ ]

induced drag coefficient at max.speed : 0.0012 [ ]

drag coefficient at max. speed : 0.0233 [ ]

drag coefficient (zero lift) : 0.0221 [ ]

calculation : *8* (speeds

stalling speed at sea-level (OW loaded : 20606 [kg]): 200 [km/u]

stalling speed at sea-level with full flaps (normal landing weight): 138 [km/u]

landing speed at sea-level (normal landing weight : 18938 [kg]): 159 [km/hr]

max. rate of climb speed : 204 [km/hr] at sea-level

max. endurance speed : 202 [km/u] min.fuel/hr : 224 [kg/hr] at height : 610 [m]

max. range speed : 357 [km/u] min. fuel consumption : 1.029 [kg/km] at cruise height : 7620 [m]

cruising speed : 457 [km/hr] at 5486 [m] (power:59 [%])

max. continuous speed* : 537.65 [km/hr] at 4000 [m] (power:100 [%])

climbing speed at sea-level (loaded) : 674 [m/min]

Convair CV-340, Roden 334 (2019)

climbing speed at 1000 [m] with 1 engine out (PUF / MTOW) : 185 [m/min]

calculation : *9* (regarding various performances)

take-off speed : 224.7 [km/u]

emergency/TO power : 2500 [hp] at 2800 [rpm]

static prop wash : 153 [km/u]

high wheel pressure, can only take off from paved runways

take-off distance at sea-level concrete runway : 798 [m]

take-off distance at sea-level over 15 [m] height : 874 [m]

landing run : 503 [m]

landing run from 15 [m] : 1064 [m]

lift/drag ratio : 18.29 [ ]

climb to 1000m with max payload : 1.69 [min]

climb to 2000m with max payload : 3.41 [min]

climb to 3000m with max payload : 5.16 [min]

climb to 5000 [m] with max payload : 9.76 [min]

practical ceiling (operational weight empty 15305 [kg] ) : 10400 [m]

practical ceiling fully loaded (mtow- 30 min.fuel:20963 [kg] ) : 8900 [m]

calculation *10* (action radius & endurance)

published range : 2600 [km] with 4 crew and 3503.6 [kg] useful load and 88.1 [%] fuel (no reserves)

range : 2026 [km] with 4 crew and 4400.0 [kg] useful load and 68.7 [%] fuel

range : 2330 [km] with 44.0 passengers with each 12.2 [kg] luggage and 79.0 [%] fuel

Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) : 102538 [paskm]

max range theoretically with additional fuel tanks total 10653.7 [litre] fuel : 7587 [km]

useful load with range 500km : 7028 [kg]

useful load with range 500km : 44 passengers

production (theor.max load): 3212 [tonkm/hour]

production (useful load): 2011 [tonkm/hour]

production (passengers): 20108 [paskm/hour]

oil and fuel consumption per tonkm : 0.232 [kg]

fuel cost per paskm : 0.037 [eur]

crew cost per paskm : 0.022 [eur]

One Dead and 20 Injured after Convair CV-340 Crashes in South Africa

ZS-BRV crashed 10 July 2018 shortly after take-off from Wonderboom Aerodrome , South Africa, due to one engine caught fire. One killed

economic hours : 22300 [hours] is less then design hours

time between engine failure : 7678 [hr]

can continue fly on 1 engine, low risk for emergency landing for PUF

writing off per paskm : 0.024 [eur]

insurance per paskm : 0.0002 [eur]

maintenance cost per paskm : 0.067 [eur]

direct operating cost per paskm : 0.151 [eur]

direct operating cost per tonkm (max. load): 0.947 [eur]

direct operating cost per tonkm (normal useful load): 1.512 [eur]

Literature :

Crash of a Convair CV-340 in Pretoria: 1 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (baaa-acro.com)

Jane’s commercial transport aircraft 85

Praktisch handboek vliegtuigen deel 5 page 50

Piston-engined airliners page 62,63

Verkeersvliegtuigen nu en straks page 22

Verkeersvliegtuigen B van der Klaauw page 26

Verkeersvliegtuigen Moussault page 99

Airliners.net

* max. continuous speed : max. level speed maintainable for minimal 30 min.

DISCLAIMER Above calculations are based on published data, they must be

regarded as indication not as facts.

Calculated performance and weight may not correspond with actual weights

and performances and are assumptions for which no responsibility can be taken.

Calculations are as accurate as possible, they can be fine-tuned when more data

is available, you are welcome to give suggestions and additional information

so we can improve our program. For copyright on drawings/photographs/

content please mail to below mail address

(c) B van der Zalm 03 April 2022 contact : info.aircraftinvestigation@gmail.com python 3.7.4