BeechTalk - BT - Anyone know anything about a Fairchild Merlin Metroliner???

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 21:17

I have a buddy who just took a job flying a Fairchild Merlin Metroliner (he has no prior experience in the type). Given the vast experience here I thought I would ask if anyone has any experience in these relatively odd ducks.

Thanks in Advance.

Here is a link for those that are not familiar with them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_ ... Metroliner

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 21:37

Username Protected wrote:

I have a buddy who just took a job flying a Fairchild Merlin Metroliner (he has no prior experience in the type). Given the vast experience here I thought I would ask if anyone has any experience in these relatively odd ducks.

Thanks in Advance.

Here is a link for those that are not familiar with them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_ ... Metroliner

I have nothing of value to add other than there is at least one of these based at GTU. Any chance he is flying out of Central Texas?

They sure seem to be a lot louder than the garden variety KA.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 21:38

Username Protected wrote:

I have a buddy who just took a job flying a Fairchild Merlin Metroliner (he has no prior experience in the type). Given the vast experience here I thought I would ask if anyone has any experience in these relatively odd ducks.

Thanks in Advance.

Here is a link for those that are not familiar with them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_ ... Metroliner

I believe we had a discussion a couple of weeks ago, and as you expected, a couple of folks with plenty of time in them piped in. Look for 'merlin' as search term, iirc that is how the discussion started.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=56271&hilit=merlin

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 22:33

The Metroliner is one of the best looking commercial turbo props of all time--long, sleek, very tall landing gear. My wife's family owned an airline that flew them in the mid-west in the 80's. They were fitted out in the paint scheme of Clipper, a 12 meter America's Cup contender, and looked really great They were a handful to fly, I was told. I have some time in several models of their bretheren, the Merlin--they'll make you appreciate the pleasant control forces of Barons and King Airs.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 22:40

Works best if you're 4'8" tall (I'm not), enjoy really not cockpits (I don't) and has a really heavy nose. As previously said, not Beech like flying qualities.
It's been over 30 years, but as you may gather not long on "creature comforts" but rewarding when flown well. You could 248 till the marker and still make a stable approach.

Good luck

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 22:42

I almost got run over by one climbing out of KGGG. So close I could hear the engines.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 22:51

Brad Haslett over on the Beech List weighs in with choice words for this Beast from time to time. Might find some of his recollections in the archives. From what he writes, it sounds like a unadulterated piece of, well, read his stuff...
:roll:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 22:58

Username Protected wrote:

I almost got run over by one climbing out of KGGG. So close I could hear the engines.

Yup, might have been the same outfit (Martinair), they run to all the small airports with cargo to/from the FedEx terminal at DFW. Sounds like an MU-2 to me... Loud.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 23:01

Username Protected wrote:

Brad Haslett over on the Beech List weighs in with choice words for this Beast from time to time. Might find some of his recollections in the archives. From what he writes, it sounds like a unadulterated piece of, well, read his stuff...
:roll:

That's been his initial perception as well. I'll check it out, thanks.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 23:26

Well, gotta say something positive now . . . so they seemed pretty tough and dependable, and took turbulence well.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 23:34

They may be a bitch to fly, but I've been pax in several and have no complaints. No louder than an older KA200 and infinitely more pleasant than an MU2.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 23:54

I ran accross this comment before:

They say beechcraft was designed by geniuses to be flown by idots, and metros were designed by idots to be flown by geniuses.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 13 Jul 2011, 23:57

They also say that airplanes are designed by PhDs, flown by college graduates and fixed by high school graduates.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Jul 2011, 00:00

Username Protected wrote:

I ran accross this comment before:

They say beechcraft was designed by geniuses to be flown by idots, and metros were designed by idots to be flown by geniuses.

Witty comment, probably with some truth, but not sure the V Tails are idiot proof. Haven't flown the 33 or 36 so I don't know about them.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Jul 2011, 00:12

They're nicknamed the "San Antonio Sewer Tube". I've never flown one, but I see them on cargo ramps fairly often, and I actually think they look kinda sexy. You know, long body, skinny legs, etc. Sounds like a good way to build multi-engine turbine PIC to me.

I didn't know FedEx contracted them. I thought all of our feeder operations were operated by airplanes we own (C208s, ATRs, etc) and flown under contract by companies like Mountain Air, etc. They're always painted in FedEx colors. I know we don't own any Metroliners, and I've certainly never seen one in FedEx colors. I could be completely wrong though. Maybe we do some additional contracting I don't know about. Feeder operations is definitely not my field of expertise. UPS, on the other hand, uses just about any airplane you can imagine for their feeder contracts - Navajos, 1900s, Metroliners you name it.