When Only the Best will Do
There are owners for whom it’s the best or nothing, and their aircraft reflect that. Camden based, twin Cessna 340A, VH-VVK, is one of those aircraft
VVK is owned by Chris Panayiotou, who learned to fly at Camden in 1994, adding an instrument rating shortly afterwards. When it came time to buy his dream aeroplane, he set the parameters of at least four hours endurance with reserves, the ability to carry four adults plus baggage in pressurised comfort and a cruise speed of more than 200 knots.
Panayiotou wanted an aircraft he could use for business – he is the co-owner of a project management firm involved in construction. He wanted the perfect $200 (for a twin) hamburger aircraft and an aeroplane for Angel Flights.
Panayiotou was attracted to the Cessna 340, a type first delivered in 1971. It’s a pressurised and larger development of the Cessna 310. The tail and landing gear came from the 310 and the wing from the Cessna 414. Initially the 340 came with turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-K engines delivering 285 hp.
The total fuel capacity of VVK is 775 l with 772 l usable. The fuel in each wingtip tank (these are the main tanks) is 190 l.
“Many of the improvements only become apparent and
