SyberJet Aircraft
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
The Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner, now produced by SyberJet Aircraft, is a twin‑engine turboprop that has become a staple of regional air transport since its first flight in 1969. Developed from the earlier Swearingen SA‑226 Merlin, the design was refined by Fairchild in the 1970s and entered commercial service as the Model 23 in 1972. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines, the Metroliner cruises at 300 knots, carries up to 19 passengers, and offers a pressurized cabin that balances speed with short‑runway capability. Its all‑metal, low‑wing airframe incorporates advanced aerodynamics, a robust landing gear, and a simple yet efficient systems layout, making it popular among commuter airlines and cargo operators worldwide. Over four decades, more than 800 units have been built, and the aircraft’s reliability has earned it a reputation for low operating costs and ease of maintenance. Today, SyberJet continues to support the fleet with updates such as upgraded avionics, stretched fuselage variants, and improved interior configurations, ensuring the Metroliner remains a vital link in regional connectivity and a benchmark for turboprop performance. Its continued presence underscores the enduring value of versatile, cost‑effective regional aircraft.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 18.09 metre
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 600
- First Flight
- 1969
- Service Entry
- 1972
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- SyberJet Aircraft
- Nickname
- Angströhre
- Military Designation
- Tp 88
- Operator
-
Horizon Air Ameriflight PAL Airlines Aeronaves TSM Key Lime Air Perimeter Aviation Mesa Airlines OFD Skippers Aviation Swedish Air Force
- Wikidata ID
- Q1393122