Merlin III information

[Cmdr Taggart]

I am looking for some information on Merlin III and IIIA; specifically opinions about the airplane from a pilot perspective. I have a student that is moving up to a turbo prop, I am helping them with the initial research. They will be hiring a broker and a full time pilot/instructor for which ever airplane they get. For their budget and what they want a Merlin III seems to fit the bill across the board, especially compared with a King Air C-90. They want an airplane with high cruise speed, which can carry up to 6 people for trips up to 800nm and all this for an airplane that cost under $500,000.00. I am not bashing the King Air C-90, I am just comparing performance figures and purchase costs with those of the Merlin III.

Thanks in advance.

 

[metrofo]

If I may make another suggestion to you, have you ever considered an MU-2. The problem you are going to have with a Merlin III or IIIA is MX. I have not flown that series Merlin, but I have flown that series Metroliner, and they were not as reliable as the MU-2 has proved to be. I cant actually quantify that in terms of dollar amounts, but I can say that the MU-2 is a real workhorse and would serve you quite well. The amount you want to spend will probably not get you a nice Marquise, but for about 100,000 more, you will start to find some, especially in this poor aircraft resale market. If you really want to stay at that 500K amount, you will be able to find yourself a nice J model or N model MU-2. The Mu-2 is not an airplane that people need to be worried about if you plan on spending the money to get good training. I would highly reccommend Reece Howell for training if you look into the MU-2 any further.

 

[ECEx]

pay more for better, or get a mits.

mtc is a pain in the a$$ on the merlin/metro series. for the money that you will spend keeping it up, you could afford a nice f-90 or a marquise. around our shop the merlins are refered to as "mexican home-builts." each a/c differs by serial number, so much so, that each # is issued a distinct wiring diagram. if you spend a few more bucks and go with a beech product, or even the mits. for that matter, you will enjoy much higher dispatch reliability and less down time for mtc. one of my clients owned a merlin-III for a year, and literally suffered a 50% dispatch failure rate due to mtc. he eventually was able to sell his troubles to some other sucker, but that was many $'s down the road. additionally, i would hate to be grounded for mtc at some back woods apt in a merlin. you would be more likely to find a mechanic that could help you if you were in a KA. but hey, it's not like they are unsafe or something. i am sure that for every pilot who doesn't care much for them, there is one who thinks the sun shines out of ed swearingen's posterior. oh, p.s. a power by the hour type program is worth the money on those tpe-331's. garrett has authorized svc. centers in various locations that can help you with that.

 

[want to be xcop]

I have about 500 hr in a sa-226 (merlin III) and about 600 hrs in an mu-2J. Both on 135 air ambulance. The mits is a better ride in wx due to the higher wing loading, it is a better build a/c. You will be constantly triming the mits and you will not like the mits until you get 100 to 200 hrs in it because its not hard to fly but, its different . It much more dependable than the sa-226. Ins. will also be harder to get. yes, reece is the man for mits training. The merlin has much more range almost 1000 miles more. mits j model 366 gal sa-226 648 gals the merlin also has a 12500 gross weight vs. 10800 on the J model mu-2 both a/c empty weight are about the same ablout 7500 lbs. the mu-2 j is about a 245kt. ac the merlin about 255kt. both are under powered. The mits (j model) is a -6 engine 880 d-rate to 660 (3-part win is the reason for the d-rateing). the metro III is a -3 enging rated at 840 flat. Hope I helped if you have any questions let me know. I will try to help

 

[Rick1128]

What you will find is that MU2's and Merlins, like Mooney's and Aerostars, have a small group that love them and a large group that hate them, with nothing in between. Most of my experience is in Metro 3's with a little Metro 2. But have some experience in Merlin 3C's. Liked the 3C's handling. Very crisp controls. Good instrument aircraft. Just don't get slow. I personally would avoid the 3 and 3A aircraft and go with a 3B. The only reason I don't suggest the 3C, is that it requires a type rating. Stay away from the 331-3 engines. They are alway a problem. The -10 is a far superior engine. I know several people who operate Merlin 3's and 4's. The majority who have had problems, bought the problems. In other words, the aircraft had problems to begin with and they either didn't fix the problems or get them fixed right.

One of the big questions would be what type of airports will this person be going into? It has to be a fairly smooth airport as you only have about 8 inches of prop clearance.

Have your student check on insurance requirements for this aircraft and compare. If he doesn't have a lot of time, some aircraft will be difficult to insure. The last time I checked on MU2's, unless he had a LOT of MU2 time, the insurance company required approved school, 30 hours of Observed PIC and a good amount of total time. And at that time I was putting guys into Metro 3 PIC slots with 1,500 to 2,000 total time with our own school. With no problem.

If your student wants other information have him e-mail me.

Good luck.

 

[Cmdr Taggart]

Thanks for all the info. We did talk about the MU2 and a Turbo Commander but they had no intrest in those airplanes. Bottom line they did not like the high wing airplane idea. Ramp appeal does make a differance, and to my student the MU2 and turbo commander did not fit the bill for them.