8/26/1969: Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner Maiden Flight
Today in Aviation, the prototype Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner took to the skies for the first time in 1969.
Today in Aviation, the prototype Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner took to the skies for the first time in 1969.
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DALLAS - Today in Aviation, the prototype Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner took to the skies for the first time in 1969.
The Texas-built Metroliner is a 19-seat pressurized airliner. Powered by two Garrett turboprop engines, it has a range of 1,100 km.
Conceived as an evolution of the manufacturer's nine-seater Merlin, the construction of the prototype began in 1968.
The passenger variant entered service with Broome County-based Commuter Airlines in January 1973.
However, Swearingen was struggling financially and the viability of the program was brought into doubt. A white knight, in the form of Fairchild Aviation Corporation, stepped in a purchased 90% of the company.
The prototype model would go on to be replaced by the SA226-TC Metro II. It had larger windows and improved “hot and high” performance. This came in the form of an optional provision for a Rocket-Assisted Take Off (RATO) rocket, located in the aircraft's tail.
The Metro II was followed by the SA227-AC Metro III in 1980. This variant had upgraded engines and structural improvements, giving it a higher max take-off weight (MTOW).
Production ended in 1998 after 714 airframes had been built.
https://airwaysmag.com/maiden-flight-dash-8/
Featured image: Swift Air Hellas Fairchild SA-227AC Metro III SX-BMT. Photo: John Leivaditis/Airways
