Saab 340 Msfs 2020 Free May 2026

Here’s a helpful overview for anyone looking to fly the Saab 340 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

What to Expect from a Study-Level Saab 340 in MSFS

When the right Saab 340 launches for MSFS 2020 (or MSFS 2024), here is what the hardcore sim pilot will demand:

2. X-Crafts (The Study-Level Hope)

Currently, the most anticipated version of the Saab 340 MSFS 2020 is coming from X-Crafts (famous for their ERJ family in X-Plane). They are developing a "High Fidelity" Saab 340 using the latest MSFS SDK. This version promises a full circuit breaker simulation, custom-coded flight computer, realistic engine performance tables, and failures modelled down to the tire tread.

While not yet released as of this writing, beta previews suggest this will become the definitive version for serious virtual airline pilots.

What you get with Carenado’s Saab 340A (current main option)

Pros:

  • Highly detailed 3D model and cockpit textures
  • Realistic Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine sounds
  • Custom-coded GPS (can use PMS50 GTN750 or TDS GTNXi as optional upgrades)
  • Good for VFR / regional IFR flights
  • Supports MSFS native features (rain effects, etc.)

Cons:

  • No deep systems (pressurization, FADEC, circuit breakers, failures are basic)
  • Autopilot is simplified (though functional)
  • Not for hardcore turboprop study-level fans

1. Carenado’s S340 (The Looker)

Carenado was the first major developer to release a Saab 340 for MSFS. As expected from Carenado, the exterior model and cockpit textures are breathtaking. The 3D modeling is arguably best-in-class, featuring realistic weathering, accurate PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials, and a gorgeous night lighting setup.

The Verdict on Carenado: It is a "middle-fidelity" aircraft. The systems are not fully depth-simulated. You won't find circuit breaker logic or hydraulic pressure bleed failures. However, for the casual simmer who wants to fly regional routes with a beautiful model and a decent flight model, Carenado’s version is a solid entry point.

Current Status: What Is Available Right Now?

If you search for "Saab 340 MSFS 2020" today, you will find three distinct categories of add-ons:

Bottom line

  • For casual turboprop fans & eye candy → Carenado Saab 340 is fun.
  • For systems nerds → Wait for X-Crafts or stick with the Leonardo MD-80 / PMDG DC-6 for depth.
  • If you want a better turboprop now → Consider the Black Square King Air 350 or SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100.

The cloud layer over Puget Sound was a solid, woolen gray, stretching from the jagged Olympic peaks to the hazy outline of Mount Rainier. Captain Elena Vargas adjusted her headset, the familiar hiss of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 audio engine filling her home office. But tonight, it wasn’t her office. It was the flight deck of Northflow Airlines Flight 308, a Saab 340B, parked at Gate C11 of KSEA.

“Seattle Ground, Northflow 308, request push and start,” she said, her voice carrying the practiced cadence of a thousand virtual flights.

“Northflow 308, Ground. Push approved, expect Runway 16L.”

With a flick of the mouse, she released the parking brake. The external view showed the stubby, high-winged Saab—affectionately known as the “Swedish Lawn Dart” by simmers—begin its slow, hydraulic whine of a pushback. Even through the simulated airframe, she felt the thump as the tug connected. This wasn’t a glassy Airbus or a silent electric air-taxi. The Saab 340 was a machine of levers, gauges, and personality.

The engines—two rugged General Electric CT7s—coughed, then spun to life with a high-pitched bark that settled into a steady, throbbing drone. Elena’s hands moved across the virtual overhead panel with muscle memory born of hundreds of hours. Bleeds on. Ignition start. Generators to on. The cockpit vibrated, not in a cheap, screen-shake way, but in the subtle, authoritative shudder that made the Saab feel alive.

“Taxi, Charlie, Charlie, hold short 16L,” Ground instructed. saab 340 msfs 2020

She nudged the throttle. The Saab responded with a lazy pull to the left—the torque effect that catches the unwary. A tiny nudge of right tiller corrected it. Looking out the side window, she watched the flaps drop. Not the polite, silent extension of a jetliner, but a mechanical, almost agricultural groan. 22 degrees. Then down to 35 for takeoff. The Saab 340 was a machine that demanded you listen.

Takeoff roll. At 80 knots, the nose lifted. At 110, she rotated. The world tilted. Rain lashed the windscreen (courtesy of MSFS 2020’s beautiful new weather system), and the runway lights blurred into a string of diamonds below. Gear up. The clunk through the floor was deeply satisfying. Then, the moment every Saab pilot waits for: the power reduction.

As she pulled the throttles back from takeoff to climb power, the distinctive, guttural howl of the props changing pitch washed over the cockpit. It wasn’t a scream; it was a growl. A declaration. The Saab clawed for altitude, 1,500 feet per minute, feeling heavy and planted, like a workhorse that knew the mountain pass ahead was nothing but a small hill.

Climbing through 10,000 feet, Elena engaged the autopilot. The Saab’s autopilot is a simple creature—altitude hold, heading bug, nav tracking. No flight director theatrics. She tuned the VOR to the Bellingham (HUH) beacon and set a course for KBLI. Below, the San Juan Islands materialized through a break in the clouds, a mosaic of dark green and rocky shoreline.

This was why she flew the Saab. Not for the speed—it trundled along at a leisurely 280 knots. Not for the range—it was a regional lifeline. It was for the texture. In MSFS 2020, the third-party Saab 340 (from Carenado or the highly anticipated X-Plane conversions) is a masterpiece of tactile simulation. The knobs have resistance. The annunciator panel glows with a warm, urgent orange. The windshield rain effects streak realistically. You feel the mass of the airframe when you bank.

As she descended toward Bellingham, she disconnected the autopilot at 5,000 feet. The Saab came alive again in her hands, sensitive on the roll, needing constant trim adjustments. She extended the gear over the bay, and the aircraft immediately ballooned—a classic Saab trait. A quick throttle blip settled it.

“Bellingham Tower, Northflow 308, on the ILS 34, full stop.”

“Northflow 308, cleared to land, runway 34. Wind calm.”

Flaps to 35. Then full 40 degrees. The nose dropped. The airframe shook gently in the landing configuration, a low-frequency rumble that said, I am ready. She crossed the threshold at 110 knots, pulled the power to idle, and held the nose off.

The main gear touched with a satisfying chirp. She let the nose fall gently. Reverse pitch—the engines roared, the props clattered, and the Saab slowed with a visceral aggression. Turning off at Taxiway Bravo, she felt the click of the landing lights off, the sigh of the flaps retracting, the tired groan of the hydraulics.

Shutting down the right engine, then the left, the silence was profound. The only sound left was the rain pattering on the virtual cockpit roof and the distant hiss of the terminal HVAC.

Elena leaned back in her real-world chair, the glow of her monitor reflecting on her face. In the virtual world, the Saab 340 sat silent on the Bellingham ramp, its propellers drooping, a loyal metal bird that had just delivered 34 simulated passengers safely through a storm.

She reached for her coffee. It was cold. But the flight had been anything but.

“See you tomorrow, old friend,” she whispered, and closed the logbook. Here’s a helpful overview for anyone looking to

The Saab 340 has become a highly anticipated and debated regional turboprop in the Microsoft Flight Simulator community. While the aircraft is a staple for short-haul enthusiasts, its availability in MSFS 2020 primarily exists through early-stage freeware and development projects, with the most polished version being the "default" offering recently bundled with the MSFS 2024 Premium Deluxe Edition. Saab 340 Options for MSFS 2020

As of early 2026, the landscape for the Saab 340 in the original MSFS 2020 consists of the following:

NextGen Simulations Saab 340/2000: This is currently the most high-fidelity project specifically targeting MSFS 2020. The developer has confirmed that the Saab 340 is undergoing flight model development and bug fixes, with a target release in mid-to-late Q2 2025 for the 2020 platform first. It is planned to feature custom instrumentation, multiple GPS choices (GNS, GTN, GTNXI), and a Collins FMS.

Freeware "Saab 340 4K" (Flightsim.to): A community-made add-on that uses high-quality 4K textures based on the FSLTL model. While it visually captures the aircraft's essence, it utilizes the ASOBO CJ4 cockpit as a placeholder, meaning it is not a "study-level" simulation.

Virtualcol Saab Regional Pack: While Virtualcol is a known name in budget-friendly regional aircraft, their recent MSFS efforts have focused on the Dash 8 and CRJ series. Their Saab 340 remains primarily an FSX/P3D product. The "Default" MSFS 2024 Saab 340B

For users moving to the newer simulator, the Saab 340B developed by Carenado is included in the Premium Deluxe and Aviator Editions. Carenado Saab 340 - not IFR -operable - Aircraft & Systems

While there is no "official" default Saab 340 provided for Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020

by Asobo, the aircraft is prominently featured as a Premium Deluxe default aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

. For MSFS 2020 users, the primary "piece" or add-on available is from third-party developer Carenado. Available Saab 340 Options

Carenado Saab 340B (MSFS 2020/2024): This is a highly detailed payware model available through the MSFS Marketplace. It features high-quality textures and sounds, though some users have reported bugs with navigation systems and climb performance in certain versions.

Asobo/Carenado Saab 340B (MSFS 2024 Default): If you upgrade to the Premium Deluxe Edition of MSFS 2024, the Saab 340 is included as a standard aircraft in the fleet.

Community Liveries: You can find a vast collection of free real-world and fictional liveries (such as British Airways or Canadian North) on Flightsim.to. Key Aircraft Specifications

The Saab 340 is a twin-engine turboprop regional airliner known for its ruggedness and efficiency on short-haul routes. Engines: Powered by two General Electric CT7-9B turboprops.

Performance: Typically cruises at FL150–FL200 with a standard speed of roughly 280 kts TAS. What to Expect from a Study-Level Saab 340

Avionics: The simulator versions generally feature a "semi-glass" cockpit with a mix of digital displays and traditional analog gauges. Basic Startup Checklist

For those flying the Carenado or MSFS 2024 version, here is a condensed startup procedure: Battery Switch: ON Strobe/Beacon: ON

Engine Startup: Trigger auto-start (Ctrl+E) or follow manual fuel/ignition sequence. Avionics Master: ON Flaps: Set to 7° (1st position) for takeoff. Prop RPM: Set to HIGH.

First look at the Saab 340 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

For enthusiasts of the Saab 340 in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020, an interesting feature could be the development of a realistic " Cargo Door Operation" system. Here's how it could work:

Feature Name: Realistic Cargo Door Operation

Description: This feature would allow pilots to realistically operate the cargo door of the Saab 340, adding a new level of immersion and realism to cargo operations in MSFS 2020.

Functionality:

  • Visual Realism: The cargo door would be accurately modeled, with detailed animations that reflect the actual door's movement and locking mechanisms.
  • Operational Realism: Pilots would be able to open and close the cargo door using a realistic control system, complete with a door handle and locking mechanism.
  • Physics-Based Behavior: The cargo door's movement would be simulated using realistic physics, taking into account factors like wind resistance, door weight, and balance.
  • Integration with MSFS 2020: The feature would be fully integrated with MSFS 2020, allowing pilots to operate the cargo door during flight, taxi, and ground operations.

Additional Features:

  • Automated Door Operation: Pilots could choose to automate the door operation, with the system controlling the door's movement and locking mechanisms.
  • Warning Systems: The feature could include warning systems to alert pilots of potential issues, such as the door not being fully closed or locked during flight.
  • Customization Options: Pilots could customize the cargo door's behavior and appearance to suit their preferences.

Benefits:

  • Enhanced Realism: The feature would add a new level of realism to cargo operations in MSFS 2020, making the flying experience more immersive and engaging.
  • Increased Immersion: Pilots would be able to interact with the cargo door in a realistic way, increasing their sense of immersion and connection to the aircraft.
  • New Flight Scenarios: The feature could enable new flight scenarios, such as cargo transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuation operations.

This feature would be a great addition to the Saab 340 in MSFS 2020, offering a unique and realistic flying experience for enthusiasts.

Flight Model Analysis: How Does It Handle?

Using the Carenado version as our benchmark (since it is available now), the flight model of the Saab 340 is a lesson in asymmetry.

Takeoff Performance: The Saab 340 requires right rudder. A lot of right rudder. Unlike a Cessna 172, torque and P-factor in the CT7 engines are brutal. If you no longer trust your feet, the 340 will pull you off the runway and into the grass. The MSFS ground handling model captures this "tail-dragger-like" aggression surprisingly well. Rotation is smooth at roughly 100 knots, and the climb rate at max gross weight is satisfyingly anemic—very realistic for a hot day at a high-altitude airport.

In Cruise: This is where the turboprop shines. At FL180 (the typical ceiling for short hops), the Saab 340 sits in a sweet spot of 190 to 210 knots. The autopilot (the classic Sperry SPZ-450) is faithfully replicated. It requires manual intervention with altitude preselect and vertical speed management. It is not an Airbus—you must trim the aircraft, or you will chase altitudes all day.

Descent & Landing: The 340 is slippery. Unlike a jet, pulling the throttles back to idle feels like deploying a speed brake. You will learn to plan your descent 10 miles earlier than you think you need. Landing is a joy; the trailing-link landing gear absorbs hard landings forgivingly, but greasing a landing requires managing the beta range (reverse thrust) carefully.