8/26/1969: Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner First Flight

DALLAS - Today, in 1969, the prototype Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner took to the skies for the first time.

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.

Financial Struggles

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).

The featured image shows Vee H Aviation VH-VEK Fairchild SA-227DC Metro 23 c/n DC-845B - Location: Da Vinci Blvd, Brisbane Airport.