Fairchild Swearingen Metro

[PositiveRate27]

Hello Avcanada,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm going to be attending a ground school on the Metro and I'm trying to get a head start. Does anyone have any PDF manuals or other pertinent information they would be willing to share?

I've already been briefed on the San Antonio Death Dart, POS, JetA to noise converter reputation... I'm more interested in actual constructive info... Of course this being Avcanada I'm sure ill get more of the former, but I figure its worth a shot!

(Tongue firmly planted in cheek)

Thanks in advance!

PR

[lostaviator]

The airlines are usually more than happy to provide training material to their ground school prospects... Perhaps give the training department a call? That way you can get your hands on company SOP's as well.

[wordstwice]

What type of metro? There is a large variation in the types and the systems/limitation vary also.

[AOW]

I know this is exactly what you didn't want to discuss, but I am a bad listener (just ask my wife!)...

Why is it that the metro has more derogatory names than any other aircraft in the history of civil aviation?
San Antonio Sewer Pipe
Texas Tampon
Screaming Dildo
Death Tube
Lawn Dart
Whining Willy
Spindle-legged Cigar
Flying Sausage
Wailing Weenie
... (and I could go on...!)

I have a few hours in the back, but have never flown one... What makes the SW2/3/4 such a target?

[Taiser]

Death tube is what it was called here when we had one doing our mining runs. Only plane where it was recommended you use earplugs AND earmuffs...man that bitch was LOUD!!!

[gravedigger]

you did not happen to be hired by Alta flights did you?

[Flap_Operator]

you did not happen to be hired by Alta flights did you?

Perimeter and Orca were both recently looking for pilots on their flying cigars

[Flap_Operator]

but all jokes aside, everyone i know who has flown it said they enjoyed the experience. Just not as fancy as a 1900D

[lostaviator]

Any plane can be a death tube with an idiot at the controls.....

The metro has been nothing but good to me. You will learn a lot flying it.

[Flap_Operator]

Any plane can be a death tube with an idiot at the controls.....

could not agree more haha! Plus every plane has its own particularities. Some more forgiving than others, just a question of getting used to how it reacts aka line indoc.


but i like the response def. made me laugh

[PositiveRate27]

Thanks for the response guys! Had a good laugh.

I'll be recieving the manuals and SOP's later this week, I'm just trying to get as big a jump start as I can... Looking for Metro II and III

I'm not at liberty to say just yet but it is not the aformentioned operators...


On second thought, keep the funny names coming, I'm getting a kick out of this!

[Taiser]

Our "Death tube" was sitting at our remote mining airport one day with guys loading large propane bombs in the back. Somebody put 90 lbs each on the weight of them when they were actually 90 kg each!!! Next thing you know the "tube is on it's ass and it's nose is 15 feet in the air! Pretty funny actually...wish I had a camera. Not much damage, bottom fin got a little bent, probably because the rear end went down so slow. Banged it straight and off it went to the hangar for inspection.

[Conquest Driver]

Code: Select all

Looking for Metro II and III

Hmm Green Metros? If so they're a good operation.

If it's a II with 3 bladed props get the best headset money can buy. I'd recommend the Telex Stratus 50. Not the most stylish but it's the best I've found if you want to keep your hearing.

[Rickyb]

Yahoo

[Doc]

It's been 20 years since I've had my paws on a "dog rocket". The II's must be getting pretty tired by now. The ones I flew were pretty tired then. But, they fly a lot better than they look. Really. Enjoy.

[PositiveRate27]

Thanks for the advice guys! I've got a Zulu 2... Hopefully they'll cut the mustard

[complexintentions]

I flew the Metro years ago, I have nothing bad to say about it. Fun to fly, handles more like a bigger aircraft, a bit slow in the roll response if I recall, and with the stiff-legged gear could be tricky to get a smooth landing sometimes. (Well, that was my excuse anyway!) But all in all a very solid airplane, if not the prettiest or most refined. I seem to recall they're more fuel efficient than the BE1900 until they both get up higher and then the Beech starts to have the advantage. I'm guessing the Garretts are simpler (ie cheaper) to maintain than the Pratts so that's why they continue to stick around...?

[tdp19]

Great Airplane, Very Similar fuel burn to the BE20 which is 3500/4000 pounds less than the Metro 3/23. From a management perspective they are such a great airplane because they are inexpensive to acquire, maintenance seems to be relatively simple, and fuel burn is very good. As previous mentioned it is not always the easiest airplane to land especially in a cross wind, my advice would be to ALWAYS touch down on one wheel first (tends to make it smoother). It is not very forgiving compared to the Be20, and BE02 and is very easy to get behind the airplane when your first starting out. I really enjoy FLYING the Metro but strongly dislike Dead heading or commuting on a metro, as mentioned the Zulu will do you well.

Good Luck

[YWGVOR]

Several thousand hours on the Metro here... I prefer the 3 myself... all I ever use is my 12 year old DC H10 13.4 headset and I have no issues....

[Mad Catz]

I used to use DC H10 13.4 myself, combined with earplugs underneath. Be very careful with your ears on this airplane, especially on the 2. It WILL damage your long term hearing if you do not respect that. The metro 3 has much better insulation, but is still annoyingly loud. I have more time on the 2 than the 3 myself. Personally, I loved the 2. I found it to be much more responsive (in particular its roll rate) than the 3. That came in handy, during those night gusty crosswind approaches to north gravel strips

[Doc]

Several thousand hours on the Metro here... I prefer the 3 myself... all I ever use is my 12 year old DC H10 13.4 headset and I have no issues....

Could you SPEAK UP?

[co-joe]

I think I have an SA 226 TC manual in the garage somewhere you can have if you want?