Here's the all time long range TP king. There's one for sale at TAP now for not much cash. One engine getting close to TBO, but part 91 don't have to follow. 648gal, burns 60gal/hr, does 295kts - that's over 3000nm!!

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/TurboProp/1973/Swearingen/SA226-T+Merlin+III/1778228.html

Erwin - is this the same one you have? Are my numbers correct?

My rough numbers (maybe from Erwin) where about 100GPM in cruise (or maybe that was B2B??) at 300 KTS (IIRC). Still good!

Not as easy to fly as a KA, not many people to work on them, but they carry a lot and are good on fuel.

I looked but decided I'm not a good enough pilot to fly one SP.

You mean 60 gal/SIDE, don't you??

I really dig the III...wish I had one in my client base.

Erwin has -10s. These have the original -3 and probably do burn around 60gph total in cruise but more like 250ktas than 300.

Wow! (I'm a dyed in the wool PT-6 guy)

I'd be tapping on the FF gauges, and looking for a place to land!

I talk to a lot of people moving up and buying airplanes, its the fun part of my business: "I want to go REALLY far" is a common thread and with TPs it always comes down to this plane.

But as importantly, maybe you have cheap fuel at home and want to be able to make a mission unrefueled with ease and 4300 pounds of jet A behind a turboprop will do a LOT of work!

Neat airplane.

Not at the same time.

I also doubt a -3 equipped Merlin will hit 295 knots in level flight at any fuel flow. If it does, then it was at about 16,000-18,000 ft and the fuel flow was closer to 90 GPH. The Merlin is quite a bit heavier than an MU2, so that costs something in speed.

My plane, -10 equipped, does about 290 knots at 65 GPH at FL270/280, my "economy" mode which I use most often. The Merlin doesn't have RVSM that I know of, so it will be limited to those altitudes, too. I'd expect the Merlin, with -10, to run about 280 knots true under those conditions, same fuel flow.

On 648 usable fuel, going 240 nm and using 85 gallons for the first hour and 65 for reserve, you have about 2,385 nm range.

For my plane, that works out to 1,200 nm range on 366 usable. I can squeak out maybe another 100 nm if I slow down to best specific range (about 250 KTAS), and perhaps trim reserves down a bit.

Mike C.

Not at the same time.

I also doubt a -3 equipped Merlin will hit 295 knots in level flight at any fuel flow. If it does, then it was at about 16,000-18,000 ft and the fuel flow was closer to 90 GPH. The Merlin is quite a bit heavier than an MU2, so that costs something in speed.

My plane, -10 equipped, does about 290 knots at 65 GPH at FL270/280, my "economy" mode which I use most often. The Merlin doesn't have RVSM that I know of, so it will be limited to those altitudes, too. I'd expect the Merlin, with -10, to run about 280 knots true under those conditions, same fuel flow.

On 648 usable fuel, going 240 nm and using 85 gallons for the first hour and 65 for reserve, you have about 2,385 nm range.

For my plane, that works out to 1,200 nm range on 366 usable. I can squeak out maybe another 100 nm if I slow down to best specific range (about 250 KTAS), and perhaps trim reserves down a bit.

Mike C.

Did you allow for start, taxi, and takeoff fuel?

Did you allow for climb fuel?

Did you allow for reserve?

The above factors are much more significant for turbine aircraft than piston.

My rules of thumb: 85 gallons and 250 nm first hour, 65 gallons and 290 nm each additional, 65 gallons reserve. The first hour is significantly more fuel and significantly less distance.

Mike C.

Adam, your 60 gph fuel flow would be about right at 270/280 but I think you would have to deduct about 45-50 kts off of the speed. I have only flown -10's so that is an estimate on my part.

The -3 engine produces 840 hp and is not flat rated, so you will get that hp until about 59 degrees F ambient temp. At temps above 59 F you will have less power.

This aircraft might be useful in cold climates such as Alaska or northern Canada, but for my area of operations I need more power. The -10 engines produce 900 hp up until 91 F so that covers alot of my temp range, but not all.

This particular aircraft has been for sale for many years, coming off and on the internet sites periodically.

I have never done 2400 nm. I would do it with a jetstream level tailwind but not with more normal winds.

No Merlin with standard fuel will do 3000 nm, not without a 100 knot tailwind.

The Merlin is a small airliner. If you want to go far in good comfort and reasonable speeed and economy I think it is a good choice. It has been for me. Mx problems are a myth, I have had zero issues getting the aircraft serviced and I am in the middle of no where.

Planning the first hour is key to any max range flight.

The only one that does 295 is a IIIA with -10 upgrade, three blade props, and that's mid weight at 17-20 depending on temp. No worries about RVSM, the bird isn't climbing that high and being operated in any reasonable way. Mike C has a similar deal going on his Mits- he's a bit faster than me because he has one of the coveted -10 conversions on his three blade airplane. If I could yank the four blade props I've got on mine and put on three bladers like his, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

They are stout birds, easy to fly, my personal favorite turboprop, but the numbers above are not reality.

Mine will break 300 kts when light at cold temps and F160 approx. Never actually done it since I have always been much warmer than ISA.

The three bladed aircraft are faster but I would not ever consider a trade, the difference in cabin noise level would not work for me. Eight hours is a long time without headsets and you want a quiet cabin for that.

What can you do in range with the 648gal tanks, no wind Erwin?

With climbs/descents at pilot discretion and VFR at both ends, you can do 2200 nm. That would be about 8 hours in the air and 1 hour reserve.