White House Correspondents Dinner Red Carpet Photos: See the Best Dressed The New York Times

Table Of Content

• Post-pandemic election realities
• The Last House on the Left at 50: Wes Craven’s shock horror retains its power
• Los Angeles neighborhoods
• officers shot, 4 killed
• The Last House on the Left (2009 film)
• year-old child dies, another child hurt after wind sends bounce house flying in Arizona
• Neighbors recall shootout, massive police response

Spending time on the water can make you hungry, but thankfully, Marina del Rey has no shortage of amazing eateries. There’s SUGARFISH for fans of sushi rolls and sake, while SALT Restaurant & Bar offers burgers, pizza and salads. You can also find steakhouses, seafood eateries and local Italian gems like Scopa Italian Roots. As the biggest man made marina in the United States, you can expect to see sights that include beautiful boats and curious sea lions.

Post-pandemic election realities

The increasing population of white, college-educated voters in the state's Research Triangle continues to make the state competitive. But Republicans have won it in all but one presidential election since 1976. In May 2021, he was arrested on several charges, including possession of marijuana paraphernalia, manufacturing marijuana and eluding arrest in a motor vehicle, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office website. The foundation was established in 2004 by local business and civic leaders to support the police department and promote public safety in Charlotte, according to Muller. On the eve of her 17th birthday, Mari (Sandra Peabody) has blossomed into liberated womanhood, but she’s about to step into a world of burnouts and lowlifes that are eager to take advantage. Though her parents (Eleanor Shaw and Richard Towers) are concerned about her vulgar friend Phyllis (Lucy Grantham) driving her from their country home to an urban “slum” to see a rock concert, they reluctantly respect the fact that she’s growing up.

The Last House on the Left at 50: Wes Craven’s shock horror retains its power

Many aspects of Iliadis' remake provoked a mixture of outrage and praise from critics, including its fusion of savage brutality with slick production values. But it was the ending of "The Last House on the Left," with its major departure from Craven's original vision, that really divided everyone who watched the film. As they try to find the key to their boat so that they can take Mari to the hospital, Francis happens upon Mari. When going after Krug and Sadie, who are in bed, they find Justin holding Krug's gun; Justin gives the gun to John so that he can kill Krug. Sadie awakens and John shoots and wounds her in the neck, allowing Krug to escape through the window and into their house.

Los Angeles neighborhoods

President Joe Biden on Monday released a statement calling the officers "heroes" and saying he and first lady Jill Biden will be praying for the families and the recovering officers. The president also spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community. Two women were brought in for questioning after they exited the house, the police department said in a statement. Johnny Jennings, chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, had earlier said a 17-year-old and a woman were being questioned.

"Contributions will be directed either to the family or as specified," the department said on X, formerly Twitter. Two of the slain task force members, Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, were employed by the the state's Department of Adult Correction for 14 years, a statement from the department said. Poloche is survived by his wife and two children, according to the state's correction department. Many different versions of the film exist on various DVD and VHS releases struck from different cuts of the film, many of them from different countries. To get a completely uncut version is difficult as even some cinema machinists cut footage from prints of the movie before screening it during the 1970s; many copies were cut or "hacked to pieces" and because of this, some scenes have become rarities.

That means you can work a corporate day job and still enjoy time hiking in the splendor of nature in an area that’s bigger than Central Park. You can also stop by the Griffith Observatory to see the stars in space rather than the ones in Tinsel Town. This LA neighborhood is famous for offering views of the Verdugo Mountains and beautiful parks like Brand Park and, of course, Griffith Park on its border.

year-old child dies, another child hurt after wind sends bounce house flying in Arizona

Concord Officer Thiago DeSouza, stationed outside the gray-paneled house, walked past three cars sitting in the driveway to knock on the grieving family’s door. Craven cut the film numerous times for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to rate it R. Internationally, the United Kingdom refused to certify the film for release, and while briefly released on home video in the 1980s, the "video nasty" scare led to the banning of the film until 2002. The Last House on the Left was released in the United States on August 30, 1972. While the film initially received a polarizing reception from critics, it was highly profitable, grossing over $3 million at the domestic box office.

Review - Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1 - Those Left Behind - GeekDad

Review - Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1 - Those Left Behind.

Posted: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:02:16 GMT [source]

University Park

In 2021, five children were killed and four others injured in a horrific bouncy castle accident in Australia, USA TODAY previously reported. The children fell 33 feet from the castle after a gust of wind swept up the inflatable house. The castle was at a school function celebrating the end of the year in Australia's island state of Tasmania. The accident happened Saturday in Casa Grande, according to a release by the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Neighbors recall shootout, massive police response

If you want to enjoy the best of Los Angeles without any of the downsides, Silver Lake is your best bet. It has amazing green spaces and the traffic and parking issues aren’t nearly as bad as other parts of the city. Although this area specifically appeals to millennial hipsters, it still attracts a diverse mix of young adults. This area provides easy access to DTLA and Hollywood and surrounding neighborhoods like Echo Park and Angelino Heights, which is great for commuting and checking out the latest in these areas. There’s a lot of variety in the things to do in Hollywood, California.

When Lyles got in a car to go home around midnight the day of the shooting, she said she was "shocked" that President Joe Biden called her. Craven has said that The Last House on the Left was inspired, in part, by the explicit footage that was piped into news segments on Vietnam war, but wasn’t reflected by the horror and action films being produced at the time. The country was willing to send its young people off to war, but it couldn’t confront the same violence and death in a theater. It’s hard to define the film’s political point of view, other than a prevailing feeling that wars were being fought at home, too, and that the idealism of the love generation had curdled into bad vibes.

It might not look like much from the outside with its no-frills storefront, but this family-run Armenian joint serves up some of the best kebabs and salads in this major city. There has only been one Electoral Vote tie in U.S. history — it happened in the election of 1800. It's also because of the continued shift with college-educated white voters toward Democrats. In 2020, Trump won college-educated white men by 3 points in 2020, according to exit polls, but the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll showed Biden winning the group by more than 20 points.

Distributor Hallmark Releasing, in partnership with American International Pictures, gave him and Craven funding after the box office success of Cunningham's Together (1971). When athletic teen Mari Collingwood opts to hang out with her friend Paige in town rather than spend an evening in with her parents vacationing at the family's remote lake house, it marks the beginning of a night no one is going to forget. Not many unseasoned audience members will find the 2009 rape scene "toned down," and indeed I found it painful to watch. In the 2005 film, it was so reprehensibly and lingeringly sadistic, I found it unforgivable. So now my job as a film critic involved grading rape scenes. In Craven's utterly bleak original, everybody dies except Mari's parents, who are now faced with the rather harsh comedown from a joyous, blood-soaked orgy of violence not-so-far-removed from the one they are purportedly punishing.

The Last House on the Left is a 2009 revenge horror thriller film directed by Dennis Iliadis and written by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth. A remake of the 1972 film of the same name, it stars Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt, Aaron Paul, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome, Martha MacIsaac, and Sara Paxton. The film follows Mari Collingwood, a teenager who is abducted, raped, and left for dead by a family of violent fugitives. When her parents learn what was done to her, they seek vengeance against the family, who have taken shelter at their summer home during a thunderstorm.

Though the decline in officer deaths is a "welcome trend," National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Bill Alexander previously told USA TODAY he's concerned about an increase in nonfatal shootings. Rissa Reign, 27, was spring cleaning her house with her girlfriend, the door open to let dust and negative energy out, when she heard gunfire. Adams later told the USA TODAY Network that Congress has "done this kind of thing” before, commemorating those who have fallen or been shot. She said the "time is up for that."

"They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us," the president said in a statement. "We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded." Nearly 100 officers were shot, including 10 who were killed, in the first three months of 2024, according to a March update from The National Fraternal Order of Police. Tuesday afternoon, she stood in front of the damaged house and marveled at the destruction. And she wondered aloud if the gunman had been sneaking around the upstairs of his house, shooting down at police officers from multiple locations. "They do what they gotta do to get the officer who was shot," he said, looking at the twisted fencing and deep ruts left by the vehicle, which officers later used to rip the front of the house open so they could send a drone in.

These films are in the horror genre, which once tried to scare the audience, but now invites the audience to share the fear and pain of the characters. It is the one genre that can lead the box office without name stars, perhaps because its fans know that big stars very rarely appear in one (I'm not thinking of films where story is first, but those in which graphic violence is first). Marshals Service, said six deputies have been fatally shot in the line of duty since 2011, not including those killed Monday. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles stood at the pulpit of Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church addressing a room of about 50 gathered for a prayer vigil the day after four law enforcement officers, including three on a U.S. Marshals Task Force, were killed and four other officers were injured in a shootout at a suburban home in east Charlotte. The suspect who fired at officers was fatally shot on the lawn of the house, while two other people inside the home were later taken in for questioning.

Charlotte shooting: Community grapples with deaths of 4 officers

Table Of Content

• Movies / TV
• Ocean Park
• North of Montana
• Northeast

It is crystal clear from the opening arguments and evidence that this extraordinarily weak case is blatant lawfare and election interference during the height of the presidential campaign. A press release from the sheriff's office states that several children were playing in a bounce house when a strong gust of wind sent it flying into a neighboring lot. It’s the home of glitz and glamour, but it’s not just a place where movie magic gets made. However, these real people do need to have enough money to afford the rent here.

Movies / TV

Armed with a "high-powered rifle," Hughes fired upon the approaching task force officers, striking several of them, police said. Officers called for backup and, as additional law enforcement responded to the scene, "the gunfire continued, striking additional officers," the department said. Authorities eventually shot Hughes, who was pronounced dead on the front lawn. At least 12 Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers fired their weapons during the incident, all of whom are on paid administrative leave, the department said in a statement Tuesday. And such a church was built in the 1300s and still stands at Karna in Sweden. No churches will be built because of the other films, no parents will ask forgiveness and few members of the audience will think they should.

Ocean Park

"And the people who would most likely then not participate ... are going to be these lower-education voters. And so it's going to pose a real challenge to the Trump campaign, to energize these folks yet again to vote in 2020." This year's election is also going to be different from 2020 in a very big way. Because of the pandemic, mail-in voting was used widely and that contributed heavily to increased turnout. In 2020, 66% of registered voters cast ballots, the highest since 1900. "I really do suspect that 2023 might be an anomaly in terms of the total number of men and women who die by gunfire, particularly given the number of men and women who were shot and thankfully survived," he said. "But it is a scary number, and I do worry that 2024 will result in a much higher number than what we had in 2023."

North of Montana

The film depicts the tragic and gruesome ends met by teens Mari Collingwood and Phyllis Stone, and the aftermath as Mari's parents take bloody revenge on those responsible for killing the girls. The original script by Alleca included elements of supernatural horror, which prompted the studio to reject it and bring in Ellsworth for rewrites. Principal photography began in March 2008 in Cape Town and Helderberg Nature Reserve and concluded in May. The Last House on the Left was theatrically released in the United States on March 13, 2009, and was a modest box office success, grossing $46 million against its $15 million budget.

The Best Red Carpet Looks at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

For Craven and Iliadis, the film primarily illustrates how even the most normal of families can be driven to commit evil acts if pushed too far. Last week, the House Judiciary Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Jim Jordan, released a scathing report highlighting Bragg's political investigation and prosecution of President Trump, calling it a direct threat to our republic. Democrats’ corrupt and desperate witch hunts against President Trump must come to an end.

Northeast

While Mr. Fetterman may have been in the minority among his political peers, with most of whom following the president’s example and opting for a traditional tux, creative black tie proved a talking point. See Billy Porter in a black sequin caftan over a classic white shirt; Questlove, in an artistically paint-splattered jacket; and Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president, in a white brocade pantsuit. In 2014, USA TODAY reported that two young boys were seriously injured in New York after an inflatable bounce house went airborne. The bounce house reached heights of between 15 and 20 feet, officials said at the time.

A guide to North Hollywood

This is lawfare and blatant election interference, and the American people know it. As the police approached the shooter, Chief Jennings told reporters, the officers were met with more gunfire from inside the home. After a long standoff, two women in the home were taken to a police station to be interviewed, the police later said in a statement. When they approached the residence, the suspect, later identified as Terry Clark Hughes Jr., fired at them with an AR-15-style rifle and a 40-caliber handgun from the second floor of a house, the police said. He was later pronounced dead in the front yard of the residence. Contributions may also be donated to the families of the four officers killed, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Tuesday.

Phyllis tries to escape and reason with them, but she fails and is gang-raped. Meanwhile, Mari's unsuspecting parents prepare a surprise party for her. By the end of Craven's 1972 original, both Mari and Phyllis have been ruthlessly tortured and slaughtered. The last we see of Mari, she stumbles into the lake and is fatally shot in the back by Krug. In August 2006, Rogue Pictures finalized a deal to remake The Last House on the Left (1972) with original writer and director Wes Craven as a producer. In 1972, he did not have the budget to film every piece of the story he wanted to tell.

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Proposed house bill would keep semi trucks out of the left lane.

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Chhoeun said he watched as one officer and then another was hit by gunfire from the rear of the brick home, and heard the frantic calls for assistance. He said two women ran outside the house, as did another man, and authorities crashed an armored vehicle through his backyard to reach the two downed officers. Estelle and her husband rush into the woods, where they find Mari's body and decide to take revenge. Estelle pretends to seduce Weasel, bites off his penis, and leaves him to bleed to death. Krug escapes into the living room and overpowers John before manipulating Junior into killing himself.

Mari Collingwood plans to attend a concert with her friend Phyllis Stone for her seventeenth birthday. Her parents, Estelle and John, express their concern about her friendship with Phyllis but let her go and give her a peace symbol necklace. Before the concert, Mari and Phyllis encounter Junior while trying to buy marijuana. He leads them to an apartment where they are trapped by the criminals.

Downtown LA is full of amazing landmarks, including the breathtaking Bradbury Building, which was built in 1893, and the iconic Angels Flight Railway in the Bunker Hill district, and the historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Speaking of landmarks, many people view Skid Row as an infamous one. However, over the years, gentrification has brought new development and businesses to the area, revitalizing this once-avoided area of DTLA. Some people think they should avoid Downtown Los Angeles, also known as DTLA, due to its infamous traffic and the reputation of Skid Row. However, this Central LA neighborhood is rich in culture and nightlife. As you explore this part of town, you’ll discover gems like Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with several deeming it worthy of praise in comparison to other horror films and remakes in general, while others considered it inferior to the original. Eight law officers were shot on Monday, four fatally, as a U.S. Marshals fugitive task force tried to serve a warrant in Charlotte, N.C., the police said, in one of the deadliest days for law enforcement in recent years.

Baroque Art and Architecture Movement Overview

Table Of Content

• Art Movement: Baroque – The Style of an Era
• Summary of Baroque Art and Architecture
• Beginnings of Baroque Art and Architecture
• Late Baroque (1675–
• Theatre
• Baroque in the Spanish and Portuguese Colonial Americas
• Apotheosis of Saint Ignatius

Baroque gardens were built by Kings and princes in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Poland, Italy and Russia until the mid-18th century, when they began to be remade into by the more natural English landscape garden. The Baroque period was a golden age for theatre in France and Spain; playwrights included Corneille, Racine and Molière in France; and Lope de Vega and Pedro Calderón de la Barca in Spain. In France, theatre and opera also became a key element of Louis XIV's cultural policy, which was used to control the nobility and express his power and magnificence. In the early 18th century, the theatre building itself acquired new importance as proof of courtly, civic or technological power. The resulting new buildings across Europe established the theatre in the form we know today.

Reimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque Inspirations - ARCHITECT Magazine

Reimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque Inspirations.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 09:51:41 GMT [source]

Art Movement: Baroque – The Style of an Era

They were made of multiple layers of lacquer, then incised with motifs in-filled with colour and gold. Chinese, but also Japanese lacquer panels were also used by some 18th century European carpenters for making furniture. In order to be produced, Asian screens were dismantled and used to veneer European-made furniture. Baroque architecture, architectural style originating in late 16th-century Italy and lasting in some regions, notably Germany and colonial South America, until the 18th century. It had its origins in the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church launched an overtly emotional and sensory appeal to the faithful through art and architecture. Complex architectural plan shapes, often based on the oval, and the dynamic opposition and interpenetration of spaces were favoured to heighten the feeling of motion and sensuality.

Summary of Baroque Art and Architecture

With their ornate costumes, complex stage sets and ingenious machinery, these performances created wonder and awe. Written by Jean-Baptiste Lully for the French court of Louis XIV (reigned 1643 – 1715), the opera Atys was such a favourite with the King that it became known as "The King's Opera". Our collection includes a pen and ink design for the costume of the character Hercules in Atys. He is shown in a ballet pose, wearing a Roman-style costume, and identified by his club and lion skin. Not only does it serve as a lasting reminder of an important moment in history, but studying its impact explains the desires and ideals of Europeans at that time.

Beginnings of Baroque Art and Architecture

“The term Baroque was initially used as an epithet to describe buildings whose design strayed from the principles established during the Renaissance,” Foster adds. The style spread primarily throughout the 17th century in Europe, with particular prominence in Germany, and even made its way to colonial South America. Late Baroque work, which emerged in the mid to late 18th century, is often referred to as Rococo style—or Churrigueresque in Spain and Spanish America. Baroque-style interior design is part of the larger Baroque visual arts movement that spanned architecture, art, furniture design, objects, and more, with interior design, architecture, and art working together to create a cohesive visual statement. Compared to how in England architects and designers saw the Gothic as a national style, Rococo was seen as one of the most representative movements for France. The French felt much more connected to the styles of the Ancien Régime and Napoleon's Empire, than to the medieval or Renaissance past, although Gothic architecture appeared in France, not in England.

David Closes adds an aluminum-clad entrance to Baroque Museum of Catalonia - The Architect's Newspaper

David Closes adds an aluminum-clad entrance to Baroque Museum of Catalonia.

Posted: Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:59:28 GMT [source]

Contending with the spread of the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church, after the Council of Trent (1545–63), adopted a propagandist program in which art was to serve as a means of stimulating the public’s faith in the church. Whereas a naturalistic treatment rendered the religious image more accessible to the average churchgoer, dramatic and illusory effects were used to stimulate devotion and convey the splendour of the divine. The second tendency was the consolidation of absolute monarchies—Baroque palaces were built on a monumental scale to display the power of the centralized state, a phenomenon best displayed at Versailles.

Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio were the two Italian painters who helped usher in the Baroque and whose styles represent, respectively, the classicist and realist modes. The painter Artemisia Gentileschi was recognized in the 20th century for her technical skill and ambitious history paintings. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, whose accomplishments included the design of the colonnade fronting St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, was the greatest of the Baroque sculptor-architects. The orderly paintings of Nicolas Poussin and the restrained architecture of Jules Hardouin-Mansart reveal that the Baroque impulse in France was more subdued and classicist. In Spain, the painter Diego Velázquez used a sombre but powerful naturalistic approach that bore only some relation to the mainstream of Baroque painting. The style, meanwhile, made limited inroads to northern Europe, notably in what is now Belgium.

Theatre

In 1630 he was appointed court painter to the Princess of Orange in 1630 and, due to royal connections, became the painter for the English court and was knighted by Charles I, the King of England, in 1632. Flemish artists also painted genre scenes, and the best known were Adriaen Brouwer, Jacob Jordaens, and David Teniers the Younger. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo developed the estilo vaporiso, or vaporous style, that used a delicate palette, softened contours, and a veiling effect of silver or golden light.

Another key factor is the existence of the Jesuitical architecture, also called "plain style" (Estilo Chão or Estilo Plano)[74] which like the name evokes, is plainer and appears somewhat austere. The first building in Rome to have a Baroque façade was the Church of the Gesù in 1584; it was plain by later Baroque standards, but marked a break with the traditional Renaissance façades that preceded it. The interior of this church remained very austere until the high Baroque, when it was lavishly ornamented. The twisted column in the interior of churches is one of the signature features of the Baroque.

Rivaling with the Dutch and Spanish artists of the caliber of Diego Velazquez, Italian Baroque painters were imbued with the legacy of Renaissance and Mannerist style. Instead, it consisted of many great schools and artists across Europe throughout the 150 or so years of the Baroque Era encompassing a wide range of styles. Additionally, the quantity of genius-level artistry coming from different countries, schools, styles, and fields injects an added level of subjectivity to what Baroque may mean for an observer of the art movement.

In the 18th century sculptural altarpieces began to be replaced by paintings, developing notably the Baroque painting in the Americas. Similarly, the demand for civil works, mainly portraits of the aristocratic classes and the ecclesiastical hierarchy, grew. The main influence was the Murillesque, and in some cases – as in the criollo Cristóbal de Villalpando – that of Valdés Leal. It highlight Gregorio Vásquez de Arce in Colombia, and Juan Rodríguez Juárez and Miguel Cabrera in Mexico. In the Hispanic Americas, the first influences were from Sevillan Tenebrism, mainly from Zurbarán —some of whose works are still preserved in Mexico and Peru— as can be seen in the work of the Mexicans José Juárez and Sebastián López de Arteaga, and the Bolivian Melchor Pérez de Holguín.

As a result, Flemish artists painted both Counter-Reformation religious subjects and landscapes, still lifes, and genre works that still drew upon the Northern European tradition. Many scholars think it was derived from the Portuguese barrocco, meaning an imperfect or irregularly shaped pearl. And some, like the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau thought it was derived from the Italian barocco, a term used to describe an obstacle in formal logic in the medieval period. In growing usage the term originally contained negative connotations, the artwork within its cadre viewed as bizarre and sometimes ostentatious.

In the Portuguese colonies of India (Goa, Daman and Diu) an architectural style of Baroque forms mixed with Hindu elements flourished, such as the Goa Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus of Goa, which houses the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. In Moscow, Naryshkin Baroque became widespread, especially in the architecture of Eastern Orthodox churches in the late 17th century. With more inhabitants and better economic resources, the north, particularly the areas of Porto and Braga,[75][76][77] witnessed an architectural renewal, visible in the large list of churches, convents and palaces built by the aristocracy.

She may also have been motivated to portray her rightful standing, as tensions between the ruling factions in France and a "foreign" queen had led to her banishment from the court in 1617. Rubens, the most famous painter in Northern Europe, was drawn to the commission as it gave him permission to explore a secular subject, and one that he could inform with allegorical and mythological treatments. Though less known, his landscapes also influenced J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and Thomas Gainsborough. As Mark Hudson wrote, "From Rembrandt, Watteau and Delacroix to Cézanne and Picasso, the Rubenesque sensibility runs strong and deep through Western art." Following the 1527 Sack of Rome, and in efforts to oppose the growth of Protestantism, the Counter-Reformation sought to re-establish the Church's authority.

Drake Passage Cruise: Sail Antarctica's Fabled Gateway

Table Of Content

• A Journey with Purpose
• Preparing for Your Voyage
• Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle
• The Role of Modern Technology in Documenting Journeys
• Photography and Documenting Your Journey Through the Drake Passage
• Simon's Final Expedition of the Antarctic season

As the years passed and the planet’s landmasses changed shape, Antarctica separated from South America and made way for a large oceanic current that soon encircled it. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is largely responsible for the low temperatures that maintain Antarctica’s massive ice sheets. On this customizable journey starting at 9 or 13 days, discover the different corners of Patagonia's vast territory in depth. Link 2 or 3 Explora properties in Patagonia via private jet and van to experience it all, including golden pampas, turquoise rivers, icy blue glaciers, snowcapped peaks and much more. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers.

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A Journey with Purpose

Fly over the Drake Passage in both directions, or cruise it one way, to discover all of the highlights without sacrificing the extra time. Navigating the Drake Passage, whether rough or calm, is a learning experience. For many, it also enhances the appreciation of arriving in the serene and pristine environment of Antarctica. Dressing in layers, staying well-rested, and using amenities like the ship’s lounges and relaxation areas can help. Cruise staff are also on hand to assist and provide advice on staying comfortable. They serve as a reminder of our responsibility to protect these natural wonders for future generations.

Preparing for Your Voyage

The passage is also a haven for several species of seals, including the Leopard seal and the Antarctic fur seal. The passage is notorious for its challenging conditions, characterized by strong westerly winds, large waves, and unpredictable weather. This is partly due to the absence of significant landmasses at these latitudes, allowing winds and currents to flow freely and unhindered around the globe, a phenomenon known as the “Roaring Forties” and “Furious Fifties”. While that may have been different for the region's first explorers centuries ago, new technology, safety procedures, and specialized equipment nowadays ensure a safe crossing.

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

The South Shetland Islands and other nearby landmasses host penguin colonies, with species like the Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguins nesting in large numbers. I camped out on Deck 4 of our expedition ship, where the public spaces are located. If you're in the public areas, you'll also stay busy chatting with other passengers and crew, keeping your mind off the rocking and rolling seas. There's not a definitive time that's better or worse for crossing the Drake Passage.

On the second day of this crossing, the Albatros expedition staff conducted the all-important biosecurity check. Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition. We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience. A journey of anticipation, breathtaking views, and unforgettable moments awaits.

Ships are required to have emergency protocols, including lifeboats, life jackets, and regular safety drills for passengers and crew. The anticipation of encountering one of the world’s most challenging and awe-inspiring maritime routes adds to the excitement. Beyond exploration, the Drake Passage also played a crucial role in global maritime trade.

An 800 km sailing journey from Cape Horn to Antarctica

A travel journal or blog allows you to capture your personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings during the voyage. This can be a private reflection or shared with others through online platforms or social media. The Drake Passage is part of a delicate and unique ecosystem, highly sensitive to environmental changes.

The convergence of different water masses also supports a variety of plankton and other microscopic organisms, which play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. These tiny organisms form the foundation of the marine food web and are crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the ocean. Whales, such as humpbacks and orcas, are commonly sighted, especially during the summer months when they feed on krill.

Consult this month-by-month list covering everything from penguins to pack ice to help guide your travel timing. The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship accommodating 148 guests in 81 outside cabins. She is fully stabilized, enabling her to navigate polar passages while providing comfort. Sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the frigid waters of the Beagle Channel, this is a fittingly wild place to be known as “El Fin del Mundo” or “The End of the World.” Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Everywhere you go in Antarctica you’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images. As one of the most challenging and awe-inspiring maritime routes in the world, the Drake Passage remains a symbol of adventure and discovery.

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The 9 Roughest Seas In The World For Cruise Ships.

Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Various research stations located on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands conduct a range of studies in climatology, oceanography, glaciology, and biology. Many seasoned travelers recall the ‘Drake Shake’ as a memorable and exhilarating part of their Antarctic adventure. Understanding the nature of these waters and being prepared for the possibility of rough conditions is an essential part of the journey. The term ‘Drake Shake’ refers to the often-turbulent sea conditions in the Drake Passage. This stretch of water is notorious for its strong winds and high waves, a result of the unrestricted flow of water and air around the Southern Hemisphere. This includes respecting wildlife by maintaining a safe distance, adhering to regulations regarding drone use, and being considerate of fellow passengers and crew when taking and sharing photos.

Today, the Drake Passage is popular on travel TikTok, with some of the more widely viewed (and heart-pounding) videos including footage of travelers inside vessels with gigantic waves crashing right up against their windows. Just before dinner, we were sailing through the sunshine on an incredibly calm Drake Passage when we spotted pods of fin whales and humpback whales feeding. Our captain adjusted course to get us in a nice position to view these giants gently swimming around on each side of the ship.

This includes following guidelines for responsible tourism, reducing waste, and being mindful of one’s impact on the fragile ecosystems encountered. Monitoring these changes is crucial for understanding the broader impacts of climate change on global ocean systems. These international agreements set forth principles for the protection of the Antarctic environment, including the Drake Passage. They regulate tourism, scientific research, and fishing activities, aiming to preserve the region’s ecological integrity.

National Geographic Antarctica Direct

Table Of Content

• Wildlife and Natural Wonders of the Drake Passage
• Do you have to cross the Drake Passage to get to Antarctica?
• The Drake Lake on the Drake Passage
• Our trips to Drake Passage
• Out for Adventure on Our Antarctica Cruise on Ocean Victory

Embark on a journey through the Drake Passage, a realm where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge, creating a unique maritime adventure. This guide is your compass to navigate the storied waters that have captivated sailors and explorers for centuries. For many travelers, crossing the Drake Passage is the deal breaker to make this trip of a lifetime. Forget about the trip's expense and the time it takes to get there –about 48 hours in each direction (or more depending on the weather and the route decided by the captain) -- the Drake Passage can be intimidating. Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, located on Hornos Island in the Chilean Cabo de Hornos National Park. It is traditionally considered the southern extremity of South America and the place where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet.

Wildlife and Natural Wonders of the Drake Passage

Other passengers noted the terrifying nature of the wave crash, describing flooding and broken windows, which can be seen in photos of the now-docked ship. The TikTok-famous nine-month cruise, which is Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, set sail from Miami on December 10 and was about to make its way through the infamous Drake Passage as it headed over to Argentina. So far, nothing to worry about—unless you have heard of the Drake Passage before.

Do you have to cross the Drake Passage to get to Antarctica?

Cruises often collaborate with research organizations, contributing to ongoing scientific studies. Penguins are another highlight, though most species, like the Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, are primarily spotted on the nearby Antarctic islands rather than in the passage itself. Seabirds like the Wandering Albatross, with the longest wingspan of any bird, glide over the waters. These birds are specially adapted to the windy conditions, able to travel vast distances with minimal effort. The Drake Passage is a haven for an array of marine life, thanks to its nutrient-rich waters.

This Cruise Line Will Make Antarctica Trips Easier Next Year — Here's How - Travel + Leisure

This Cruise Line Will Make Antarctica Trips Easier Next Year — Here's How.

Posted: Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Drake Lake on the Drake Passage

Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to begin your journey homeward, or onward travel. Following disembarkation and Zodiac rides to shore, your flight departs the White Continent and returns to Puerto Natales where you overnight at the included group hotel. Experience the wild grandeur of the White Continent in a more efficient, expedient way, via a 2-hour flight between Antarctica and Chile.

For those of you who prefer oceanic adventures, what are some of the things you should expect on your Drake Passage cruise? For starters, you have the benefit of traveling with an operator with a full slate of onboard polar experts. This team of experts leads presentations throughout the crossing that will help prepare you for your polar immersion once you land in Antarctica. Given the strength and unpredictability of the weather, what exactly is the best way to experience the Drake Passage? Many travelers will choose a Drake Passage cruise while others prefer to fly over the fabled channel in favor of a less seafaring adventure. Experience unparalleled access to activities and adventure gear on this 12- to 14-day Antarctica air cruise aboard two modern polar ships designed for adventure, education and conservation.

Cruise ships are equipped with safety features and protocols, including lifeboats, safety drills, and experienced crew. Passengers should attend all safety briefings and adhere to the guidelines provided by the crew. The early 20th century saw the passage become a key route for Antarctic exploration. Explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott braved its treacherous waters to reach the Antarctic continent. Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition of 1914, which aimed to cross Antarctica via the South Pole, began with a challenging crossing of the Drake Passage. The story goes that after passing through the Strait of Magellan, Drake’s ship was pushed southward by a storm, revealing the open sea south of Tierra del Fuego and suggesting a possible maritime route.

Antarctica Direct: Sail & Fly the Drake Passage Itinerary

And then again, you may not be so lucky and end up with the Drake Shake, which can have varying degrees of "shake," as mentioned above. You may have mild swells of 12 feet, very little wind, and no oncoming storms to dodge en route to the South Shetland Islands. Then again, you could end up with 40-foot waves in the middle of a rain or snowstorm with gusty winds. Crossing the Drake Passage is unpredictable; you never know what conditions you will get. As you leave behind civilization and head into one of the most remote places on Earth, it can be a little unsettling not knowing what lies ahead on the Drake Passage. But then again, the intrigue and the uncertainty are also part of the excitement and the journey.

Out for Adventure on Our Antarctica Cruise on Ocean Victory

Documenting your journey is not just about capturing moments; it’s about creating a lasting legacy that celebrates and honors the natural world. After the journey, compiling your photos and notes into an album or digital presentation can be a rewarding way to relive the experience. This can also serve as a wonderful keepsake to share with others or to revisit in the future. When sharing, consider also discussing the environmental aspects and conservation efforts in the region, further educating your audience about this unique part of the world.

Discovered in January of 1616 by the Dutch captain Willem Schouten, it was named by him Kaap Hoorn, honoring his home port of Hoorn in Holland. The Cape marks the northern edge of the Drake Passage, the strait separating South America from Antarctica. Weather and sea conditions are notoriously changeable in the region, and consequently it was nearly 200 years before the Antarctic continent was discovered, less than 400 miles to the south of the Cape. "This is where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern seas all meet, resulting and what can be some of the choppiest waters in the world." It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.

Step aboard our Drake Passage cruise ships and embark on a thrilling voyage, braving the elements to reach the pristine wonders of the White Continent. The crossing itself takes around 2 days, but a typical Drake Passage cruise lasts around days, with the duration varying depending on the specific itinerary and activities offered. This timeframe allows for ample exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding areas.

To minimize potential wave action consequences while onboard if you do choose to go on the cruise, try to book a cabin as close to the center (fulcrum) and as low as possible on the ship. The last place you want to be if wave action might pose a problem is in a cabin close to the front of the ship, which I commonly refer to as the diving board. "No matter what side of the boat you're on, it was felt throughout the ship that clearly something bad had happened," passenger Beverly Spiker told ABC News.

This richness is largely due to the upwelling of deep, cold, nutrient-packed waters to the surface. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was frequently traversed by explorers and whaling ships. Perhaps the most notable was Charles Darwin’s journey on the HMS Beagle in 1833, which played a key role in the development of his theory of evolution. For cruisers, this passage is not just a route but a destination in itself, promising an unforgettable experience filled with awe-inspiring natural phenomena and a deeper appreciation for our planet’s marine ecosystems. The crew also recommends keeping something on your stomach, such as a light breakfast or lunch – and staying hydrated.

It challenges, educates, and inspires, offering a unique perspective on the world and our place within it. Viewing it as an integral and thrilling part of the Antarctic journey adds to the sense of adventure. Sharing experiences with fellow passengers and crew can also enrich the experience. Crew members are experienced in these waters and prioritize passenger safety. As a key gateway to Antarctica, the Drake Passage holds a special place in the context of global environmental conservation. The experiences and lessons learned in this remote part of the world often translate into a greater understanding and commitment to environmental stewardship among those who travel through it.

Lindblad Launches Flights To Antarctica To Avoid Rough Drake's Passage - Forbes

Lindblad Launches Flights To Antarctica To Avoid Rough Drake's Passage.

Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

For those less bold but still adventurous, you can join a Zodiac cruise to explore the vicinity of icebergs and small inlets that few humans have reached. Crossing the Drake Passage, however you choose, promises an experience of a lifetime. The best time for Drake Passage cruises is during the Antarctic summer months from November to March when wildlife is abundant, and the weather is relatively milder. This period offers the best chances for wildlife encounters and safe navigation across the passage. Antarctica was connected to South America during a period of time known as the Eocene Epoch, which lasted from 56 to almost 40 million years ago.

But the Drake Passage isn't only infamous because of its rough waters—the wind can be a problem too. In the video, no other passenger is (obviously) on the deck, and the video poster is seen struggling to walk against the wind force. It was also very cold during the crossing—to the point that, in the same video, at one point hail starts to fall. For the safety of passengers, though, the cruise then proceeded to close Deck 5 through Deck 13 due to bad weather for all the duration of the Drake Passage, according to the video poster.

Used Aircraft Guide: Cessna 340 340A

Table Of Content

• Continental Introduces Diesel For Helicopters
• CESSNA 340A Price and Operating Costs
• Aircraft Performance Data
• Handling and Payload
• Performance and Handling Specifications
• Swiss Crew Aborts Takeoff For Four Other Planes Crossing JFK Runway

Today’s 340s, however, will rarely still have the production instrumentation installed. Cessna had a great thirty-year run with the Cessna 310 twin. And less than twenty years after the first flight of the 310, Cessna had dreams of introducing the first pressurized light twin based loosely on the 310.

Continental Introduces Diesel For Helicopters

Catastrophic failures are rare, but all repair shops are aware of this issue, with inspections carried out regularly to ensure integrity. On a well-maintained aircraft, the problem is usually easily spotted. High speeds correspond to small values of coefficient of lift and vice versa. While known ice certification came in 1977 and up, the majority of 340s have what is called full deice. This usually mean boots on the wing and tail (with the exception of the wing stubs), heated props and alcohol spray for both sides of the windshield. The few 340s out there with hot props only are tough to sell, but can be ideal for owners warmer locations.

CESSNA 340A Price and Operating Costs

No one feels these facts should prevent the purchase, only that prospective owners should be aware. These seven items are all within the control of the owner. If an owner has taken a ‘maintenance only as required’ approach to their aircraft, they can expect that the lower resale value will more than recoup the money they might have saved. Those owners who try to operate their aircraft on a shoestring are pursuing false savings. The standard aviation insurance all aircraft owners take is liability coverage, while hull coverage is optional.

Cessna 340 – Disciples of Flight - Disciples of Flight

Cessna 340 – Disciples of Flight.

Posted: Fri, 06 May 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Aircraft Performance Data

You’d never know it by looking at the list of today’s production aircraft, but pressurized piston twins used to be all the rage. At one time in the late ’70s, the modern heyday of general aviation, Cessna was build­ing four inflatable piston twins; Beech and Aero Commander had two apiece; and Piper and Aero­star offered one each. Simcom uses aging non-motion FTDs and customers report frequent malfunctions.

They are difficult to sell and their value is dramatically reduced. It removed all pressurization hardware from the Mal­ibu Mirage and created the Matrix. The result, not too surprisingly, was 150 pounds saved and transferred directly to payload. It’s fairly apparent the weight pen­alty of pressurization is between 150 and 200 pounds, equivalent to one extra passenger. The price of avoiding asymmetric thrust was that the rear engine ran hot and heat problems often re­sulted in premature top and major overhauls on the aft mill. Another problem was the model’s low pres­surization differential of 3.37 psi.

Performance and Handling Specifications

One well-known issue with several Cessna twins is exhaust cracking and failure. As a result, an airworthiness directive that includes the 340 was issued and mandates regular inspections, repair limits, and replacement requirements. The Continental TSO-520s have a known history of crankcase cracking. While Continental did switch to heavier crankcases in the mid-1970s, cracks can still occur.

With reasonable attention to speed, landings are straightforward, easily controllable, and occasionally reward me with a gratifying roll on. Crosswind performance is predictable and I’ll accept up to 20 knots of direct crosswind without concern. The factory brakes are inadequate and although I can easily touch down on the numbers, even with heavy braking it can take close to 3000 feet to stop.

It will handle the icing conditions all right, but only to get to ice-free air. Icing is a frequent event during the winter and this equipment is a must have since I operate from Fargo, North Dakota. I also have the Keith air conditioning in the plane—a must, even in North Dakota. I fly 1000-plus-mile trips a few times a year, but if I was doing that every month, I would be looking for a plane with longer range. My plane has a 183-gallon fuel capacity, but topping the tanks limits people or cargo. ” department, one 340 pilot, with passengers, decided to buzz his gun club.

Propeller aircraft

The two long-term concerns for 340 owners are Cessnas Supplemental Inspection Document program (SIDs) and fuel availability, given the likely phase-out of 100 LL. SIDs are the industrys way of addressing the aging GA aircraft fleet and will likely affect all legacy GA aircraft, not just twin Cessnas. No one has a crystal ball, but the conventional wisdom is that the FAA will continue to address specific safety concerns via ADs and not resort to the broad-brush approach of mandatory SIDs.

The Supplemental Airplane Flight Manual has a Cruise Performance table similar to the one provided in the original POH, but it does not include cruise airspeeds! Furthermore, I often fly around at gross weights less than 1900 lbs. What will be the impact on airspeed and fuel consumption with the higher horsepower engine at reduced gross weights? In this post, I show how to make cruise performance charts for any weight or altitude, and how to estimate the performance of the modified aircraft with the 180 hp engine. Power Pac spoilers are a necessity to slow the airplane down without being a throttle jockey. The American Aviation intercoolers give RAM like performance on climb while the engines stay well within the green even on long climbs on hot days.

The Cessna 340 at first glance looks an awful lot like the 310, despite the fuselage being five feet longer. The fuselage has the same basic shape but was completely redesigned due to pressurization requirements. The empennage, however, is based on design features from the 310. Cessna then took the wings from the 414 and added them to this aircraft, making the 340 somewhat of a hybrid. Cessna wanted to keep this aircraft in the 300-series to make it more marketable to your average twin buyer.

The schooling teaches you the systems, but the problems will come in the operation; the more you understand it, the better. The fuel system is complicated, but once understood, I find it easy to manage. Weight and balance is a concern because the airplane is aft heavy before loading; the nose locker can be used to counter this. Most owners flight plan for 190 knots and will see 190 to 205 KTAS. The aircraft flies nicely with the nose baggage area loaded.

A few airplanes have it but more buyers opted for the variable-control system, which allows the pilot to program cabin altitude and rate of climb. With airspeed truing out between 190 and just over 200 knots at 65% power, fuel consumption sits around 30 gallons an hour. Push up to 75% power, and you can expect 200 to 215 knots at 32 to 34 gallons fuel burn per hour. The 340 is a six-seat light twin aircraft, with four passenger seats, an aisle, and an airstair door. The aircraft has an all-new fail-safe fuselage, and has a similar tail unit and landing gear as the Cessna 310, while its wings were based from the Cessna 414.

That’s up to 203 gallons in tanks peppered throughout the length of the wings. Propjet 210 Aviation offers the installation of two Rolls Royce 250B-17F turbine engines, each producing 450 horsepower. The finished aircraft cruises at 245 knots, offers 151 pounds increased useful load, 3,500-hour TBOs on the engines, and a range increase of 30%.

Cessna 340 A, II pressurized turbocharged Performance Information

Table Of Content

• Operating Weights
• FAA Fit? Wingman Med Backstops
• CESSNA 340A Price and Operating Costs
• Featured Video: Airthre’s Cabin Oxygen Generator
• Propeller aircraft
• Similar Aircraft

Transitioning pilots have switched to the aux tanks thinking they were drawing from the tips, and vice versa. The 340 is an all metal, six-place, low wing, pressurized, twin engine airplane and is equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear. Spins and aerobatic maneuvers are not permitted in normal category airplanes. The airplane is approved for day and night VFR/IFR operations when equipped in accordance with F.A.R. 91 or F.A.R 135. Temple says his typical buyer has a few hundred hours in high performance singles, but insurance is usually obtainable at a reasonable price.

Operating Weights

One reservation people have in switching from, say, a five-year-old Cirrus to a 35-year-old 340 is maintenance cost and downtime. A well-maintained older airplane can be every bit as reliable as a newer airplane. But one in tip-top shape can be as reliable as any airplane on the market-new or old. I have owned two 340As in the past 20 years, interspersed with a variety of Beech Barons. I have enjoyed the speed and flexibility of flying a turbocharged, pressurized twin Cessna for a total of 10 years.

FAA Fit? Wingman Med Backstops

Caravan torque-up - AOPA

Caravan torque-up.

Posted: Wed, 01 Feb 2017 08:00:00 GMT [source]

I have had to delay and rarely cancel a flight due to weather. After all, even though this is a high flying weather capable aircraft, there are times when the weather is such that you shouldnt be in the air. A RAM package– increased speed, increased gross weight (because of single engine performance improvements) and VMC drops below stall speed. For that reason, many owners of 340s not fitted with the RAM power and VG upgrade remove one seat to eliminate the temptation of carrying a pilot and five passengers.

CESSNA 340A Price and Operating Costs

This is due in part to the split flaps, which are great for drag, but not so good for lift. The 340’s pressurization system maintains a differential of 4.2 psi. The day I flew N4001Q for this preliminary report, the cabin pressure remained at 3,000 feet, with the plane at 13,000. On takeoff, we used 33 inches and 2,700 rpm; both engines have a double set of safety stops to prevent over boosting the turbochargers. All you do is leave the throttles at takeoff position, and climb right up to 13,000 feet. Many speak of wanting the spoiler mod, which is available as an STC.

Cessna 340A Prices

Perhaps the biggest complaint of new pilots is keeping track of the fuel between the various tanks, but this becomes a non-issue after just a few hours of flying time. Takeoffs and landings will almost make a pilot complacent. Landing doesn’t even really require a flare – set the attitude early, pull the power, and the airplane settles itself onto the runway.

Featured Video: Airthre’s Cabin Oxygen Generator

Where is the zero lift drag coefficient, is a constant and represents the lift dependent drag. Sometimes people (incorrectly) refer to the first part as the “profile drag” and the second part as the “induced drag” or “vortex drag.” This heuristic is overly simplistic. The second term, in fact, contains both induced and profile drag. Furthermore, in addition to the constant and quadratic terms, a more refined model contains a linear term. In any event, the coefficient of drag is very nearly a function of the coefficient of lift, i.e., .

Finding The Perfect Turbine - Plane & Pilot

Finding The Perfect Turbine.

Posted: Sat, 06 Feb 2016 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Propeller aircraft

Not all twins of the 340s days have accelerate-stop and accelerate-go performance tables but, to Cessnas credit, the 340 does. Under standard conditions, a 340 that loses an engine at lift-off speed (91 knots) can be brought to a full stop within 3000 feet of brake release. MaintenanceLike any other high-performance airplane, a 340 is not one to tolerate skimpy maintenance.

Those that still have 285-HP K engines (if any) are nearly 20 knots slower in cruise, use roughly 200 feet more runway for takeoff and climb 1500 FPM on both engines, 250 FPM on one. A number of various engine modifications, mostly from RAM Aircraft, increased available horsepower to as much as 335 per side and many of these aircraft are flying today. The 340 became so popular that Cessna decided to offer an unpressurized version for those who wanted the other features of the 340 but at a lower cost. This aircraft, the Cessna 335, began production in 1979 and had some slightly smaller engines. But as it turned out the main reason people liked the 340 was for its pressurization, and the 335 wasn’t selling. Cessna ceased production after only one year and 64 aircraft.

Considering an entire VG kit weighs about as much as the air in your tires, its about as close to a free lunch as you can get. Two months later the annual was due, and again, lots of money spent. It was not the annual that was expensive, it is all the items that, after a consultation with the shop, I elected to have done. Ours had the full 203-gallons and I would give serious thought to doing without one nacelle tank in favor of air conditioning. One of the RAM engine upgrades could make that trade-off unnecessary, but I have no experience with those STCs. Ours served us very well for personal transportation for nine years.

The pressurized aft-cabin baggage area is valued by families with kids where food, toys and all the gear that often goes into their SUV for a weekend to Grandmas also fits into a 340. CG likes to have us fill the nose baggage compartment if we have pas­sengers in the back seats. The airplane will fly off the runway at very low airspeeds, but we like to hold it on the runway to Vmc plus 10 or more should we have an issue with an engine. Approaches are flown at 110 knots and we can hold blue-line (or better) all the way down final with full-flaps, gear down, and carrying some power during the final. The two big Hartzell Scimitar propellers will slow the airplane quickly when the throttles are brought to idle in the flare.

Preferred Airparts, based in Ohio, provide worldwide customers with surplus new Cessna original components and used parts from dismantled aircraft. However, Cessna has introduced a range of airworthiness directives and SIDs, known as Structural Inspection Documents, aimed at the worldwide fleet of aging Cessnas. The less popular 340 model, of which there are fewer available, appears to sell between US$75,000 to US$180,000. The 340A has an exterior length of 10.46 meters, a height of 3.84 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.55 meters. It has a wingspan of 11.6 meters, a wing area of 17.1 square meters, and a wheelbase of 3.12 meters. The spacious cabin is 1.3-meter tall, 2.8-meter long, and 1.4-meter wide.

The Cessna 340 is a pressurized six-place twin featuring center-aisle seating, an air-stair door, and top cruise performance. Developed from the 310, it utilizes a similar landing gear and tail unit. Until 1976, power for the 340 was generally quoted as 285 hp.