You load into the cockpit. The Saab 340 add-on (Carenado or freeware mod) greets you with clickable switches. Don’t skip the cold & dark startup — it’s half the fun.
Useful tip from the story: The Saab’s engine start requires manual fuel introduction. You move the condition lever from cutoff to low idle only once N1 reaches 12%. Do it too early — hot start. Too late — hung start. In MSFS, practice this: bind “Mixture 1 increase” to a button for smooth lever movement.
You follow the checklist:
Pro tip: In MSFS, the default Saab 340 may over-temp easily. Use the “Experimental FM” option in the tablet (if available) or download the “Saab 340 Improved” mod from Flightsim.to. saab 340 msfs 2020
For years, the Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 hangar has been dominated by two extremes: the glass-cockpit airliners (A320, 787) and the low-and-slow general aviation titans (Cessna 172, Caravan). Nestled in the "Goldilocks zone" of regional turboprop aviation is a gap that many simmers have been desperately waiting to see filled: the legendary Saab 340.
As of the current MSFS 2020 ecosystem, the status of the Saab 340 has shifted from "vaporware hope" to "highly anticipated reality." This article dives deep into what the Saab 340 is, why it matters for sim pilots, which versions are available now, and which upcoming renditions will define the future of regional flying in the simulator.
If you search for "Saab 340 MSFS 2020" today, you will find three distinct categories of add-ons: You load into the cockpit
To get the most out of your Saab 340 MSFS 2020 experience, do not fly it from New York to London. This is a regional beast. Here are the top three "realistic" routes to fly:
The Saab 340A (Initial Release): Early in MSFS’s lifecycle, a basic freeware version surfaced. It uses the default King Air 350’s flight dynamics and a modified cockpit. Verdict: It looks the part from 500 feet away, but the systems are superficial. Do not buy this if you are a systems nerd.
Improvement Mods (Flightsim.to): Several community modders have tweaked the engine parameters and flight model. These are worth downloading if you want to "test drive" the concept without paying, but they are not study-level. Pro tip: In MSFS, the default Saab 340 may over-temp easily
The Saab 340 has a reputation for a "heavy elevator" and a tendency to Dutch roll in turbulence. A proper MSFS version must model the beta light (prop reverse warning) and the fact that the aircraft does not have an autothrottle—landing requires your full attention.
The best available turboprop experience that gets you 70% of the way to a Saab is the SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100, but that is not the Saab. However, SimWorks Studios has announced they are working on a Saab 340.