Swearingen Merlin

The Swearingen Merlin was introduced in the 1960s as a twin-engine turboprop. Designed for corporate and regional operations, it emphasized pressurization and cabin comfort. The aircraft evolved through multiple variants.

Swearingen Merlin SA226 © Greg Goebel

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Overview

ICAO: SW3 1965–1998 Active $440,000 (1969)

Swearingen Merlin — twin-engine turboprop aircraftThe Merlin first flew in 1965 and entered service soon afterward. It featured a low-wing configuration and retractable landing gear. Pressurization allowed operation at higher altitudes than many piston predecessors.Two Garrett turboprop engines producing approximately 900 shaft horsepower each powered later versions. Cruise speed approached 260 knots (481 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 12,000 pounds (5,443 kg).The Merlin became popular among corporate operators. Later stretched variants evolved into the Metroliner. The aircraft remains a significant step in regional turboprop development.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-10U-503G
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
2 × 900 shp · 671 kW
Avionics
Collins Avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
9
Crew
—
Cabin width
5 ft 2 in  ·  1.57 m
Cabin height
4 ft 9 in  ·  1.45 m
Cabin length
25 ft 5 in  ·  7.75 m
Exterior length
42 ft 2 in  ·  12.85 m
Tail height
16 ft 10 in  ·  5.13 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Wing span
46 ft 3 in  ·  14.10 m
Baggage volume
106 ft³  ·  3.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
13,200 lb  ·  6,000 kg
Max landing weight
12,500 lb  ·  5,650 kg
Max payload
4,300 lb  ·  1,950 kg
Fuel capacity
650 gal · 2,500 L · 2,000 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
300 kt  ·  345 mph  ·  556 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
92 kt  ·  106 mph  ·  170 km/h
Range
1,938 nm  ·  2,230 mi  ·  3,590 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
27,000 ft  ·  8,200 m
Rate of climb
2,700 ft/min  ·  14 m/s
Takeoff distance
4,250 ft  ·  1,300 m
Landing distance
2,950 ft  ·  900 m
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Fairchild Swearingen SA226-AT Merlin IV

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Operational Context

The Merlin was a development of initial modification programs of Swearingen Aircraft. Edward Swearingen, an American aeronautical engineer started the design that concluded to the Merlin through step-by-step enhancements to the Twin Bonanza and Queen Air utility aircraft of Beechcraft, which was named Excalibur. Later on, a hybrid aircraft designed with a new fuselage and vertical fin was built which was designated as the SA26 Merlin. It was the prototype piston-engined version of the aircraft. The SA26-T Merlin II was a prototype powered with two turboprop engines. The Merlin IIA was the first production version with two Pratt and Whitney engines while the Merlin IIB was powered by two Garrett AiResearch engines.

The Merlin IIIC with SFAR-41 standard can accommodate two crew members and up to nine passengers on board. It has an external length of 12.85 meters, an external height of 2.7 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.6 meters. The tail height is 5.13 meters and the wheelbase is 3.6 meters. It has a wingspan of 14.10 meters and a wing area of 25.78 square meters. The cabin height is 1.45 meters, the cabin length is 7.75 meters and the cabin width is 1.57 meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 3,697 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 6,001 kg, and a fuel capacity of 648 US gal.

Two Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-10U-503G engines power the Merlin. It is a single-shaft turboprop with an integral gearbox, a two-stage centrifugal compressor, reverse annular combustors and a three-stage axial turbine. Each engine produces a maximum thrust of 900 shaft horsepower and drives a four-bladed Dowty Type R.321 propeller with 2.69 meters of diameter. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 300 knots at 10,000 feet and a stall speed of 92 knots with flaps and landing gear down. The range at 26,000 feet with six occupants is 1,938 nautical miles and the ferry range is 2,239 nautical miles. It can fly up to 27,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 2,650 feet per minute.