Moving forward with the purchase of a Cessna 340... I know that I need to do an ops check flight on it to be sure everything is functioning at altitude... We get the ferry flight to do this as part of the contract - neither of the shops we are considering do the flight as part of the annual (We are going the annual route as a pre-purchase.)

Does anyone have a good detailed checklist of what to be looking for during this flight?
Engine performance is well matched.
Rated MAP (for the altitude) is met all the way up into the flight levels
TIT / EGT's are all reasonable.
CHT's reasonable (What's considered reasonable on a 340 - I'm spoiled by my Bo LOP around 330F max)
Cabin pressurization - make sure it reaches 4.2PSI
What else and what details should I be looking for during this flight?
Any procedures to follow to ensure that everything is sorted out?

Thanks in advance!

Andy

Thoroughly check the autopilot. Check all modes and try coupling an ILS.

Check the radar to see if you can paint ground evenly as you slowly tilt down. It should be a clear display tilted up.

Check the heater and AC if possible.

Check prop deice for proper cycling on gauge.

Check the boots to make sure they all inflate in sequence.

Check takeoff fuel flows.

Look for any blue staining on underside of wings.

Check that both landing lights extend and retract.

And maintains it once pulled back to cruise.

I would reach out to a shop like DFW Aero Mechanix or TAS Aviation. I hired Juan at DFW to do my prebuy and then he and I flew the plane back home. We had test flown it before the prebuy and he had a very thorough checklist that we added to on the 4 hour flight home.

Check 4.2PSI pressurization is maintained at max altitude.

Pull each engine to idle and see if pressurization is maintained.

Listen for whistles from pressurization leaks. Take off your headset and listen. Have someone in the back listen around the door seal.

If you can turn off the bleed air then do a cabin leak check and turn off the bleed air and see what rate of descent the cabin takes.

Check O2 masks and O2 flow.

Put together an avionics checklist and work plan based on the boxes installed.

Check AP couples in all modes. Fly ILS & GPS approaches coupled. Check VOR tracking of AP. Check heading mode turns in both directions. Check AP will intercept courses with proper bank angles. Check altitude hold captures if installed. Check AP holds altitude without porpoising.

Check all panel & indicator lights and annunciators work.

Check alignment of flight controls and trims in flight. Yoke level when plane flying straight and level? Trims centered?

Check airspeed/power settings vs. book speeds.

Andy,

Welcome to the Twin Cessna Ownership Ranks!!!!

Join the Twin Cessna Owners Association/Forum.

They have a checklist of items to cover on pre-buy/inspections at their online store.

The board is full of long time owners of various Twin cessnas (especially C-340) that will be more than happy to advise on the ins/outs of your plane.

TAS is the premier Twin Cessna shop...i used a mechanic with intimate knowledge of Twin Cessnas for my pre-buy. I can send you his info if you are interested.

The C-340 is a real airplane!!! I own a C-310 but lusted after a C-340...unfortunately i cant swing it financially.

Load the plane to gross and fly into the low 20s. Watch CHTs.

Test every single function and switch on the plane. Create a checklist beforehand and have a second person there to manage that. Its easy to overlook stuff on a flight like this.

I have a pretty good checklist I can forward to you specific to the 340. I will dig into my files this evening and email it to you. One thing that would be useful is to get a spec sheet with what the airplane has.

If you are willing to have him fly up, I agree with Doug's assessment - Juan Oviedo from DFWAM could probably look into things that are more difficult to sort out - he is a Twin Cessna expert, a great pilot and his shop specializes in Twin Cessnas.

Aside from the obvious (pressurization, avionics working, engine operation, etc.), things that come to mind that your check must include are:

1. Corrosion under the heater area in the nose section.
2. Fuel system - it is complex (not complicated), and you need to understand how it works and make sure it is working properly. Depending on whether there are wing locker tanks or not, you may have between 8 - 10 pumps including the engine driven pumps. A thorough inspection is something you want someone who knows the system do.
3. Blowers for the various environmental systems including the AC - if it is a factory system, it uses a hydraulic pump to drive the compressor (many things to check) - the electric system works better and sits in the nose - you want to look both through.
4. Cracks in the gear wells for the main landing gear (an area notorious for cracks) - inspect if doublers have been installed.
5. Electrical system has various points which must be inspected (under the wing, in the cockpit, under the seats, etc.).
6. Autopilot - depends what's on there - if it is the ARC400B, it is a good solid AP if it is working - in flight check for any oscillations, altitude capture, etc. If it is an STEC, it is good if properly setup. If not, they have a tendency to porpoise.
7. Windows - check for cracks, crazing, dings, scratches, etc. On a pressurized airplane this becomes more than just aesthetics. Areas that may be problematic are the pilot/copilot side windows.

This is just what comes to mind for now. I will look up my list and send it to you. However, I think having Juan come up and help you may be money well spent.

Good Luck

Andrew,

PM sent - you or anyone interested can also download the documents I developed from this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z66zk38039cg ... El_xa?dl=0

These were my checks - not the pre-buy shop checks, and it is not intended as a substitute for getting competent help or expert advise - it is just what I used to help me along and make sure I did not miss anything during the prebuy or after the major renovation/upgrades I made on my plane.

For ease of use, I printed these on Jepp paper on a 2 page per sheet layout. It therefore fit neatly on my clipboard and flight binder. I also had someone with me while performing these flight checks to help record everything and note any issues.

You can modify these files based on what the aircraft you are looking at has installed - my airplane had lots of bells and whistles that your's may not have.

Last thing I might add is the best prebuy you can perform is an annual.

Good Luck.

All,

Thank you for the great input - we are moving forward, but hit a pothole. The seller is trying to get it filled (paperwork, not mechanical...) I really appreciate the help and am looking forward to flying... Sim complete at RTC by Ed and Jim. Great experience and good challenges. Alex, Thanks for the docs!

Happy Flyin'!

Andy