Keychain made of: SA226 TC Metro II -N62Z

The Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner evolved from the vision and design of aeronautical engineer Ed Swearingen. His modifications to a Beechcraft Twin Bonanza and Queen Air led to the creation of the Excalibur, which later became the popular Swearingen Merlin, the predecessor to the Metroliner. Introducing N62Z, an SA226-TC Metro II with a unique story of its own.

OUR PLANE'S STORY

N62Z (MSN TC-237) rolled out of the Fairchild Swearingen Aviation Corporation's plant in San Antonio, Texas in 1977, beginning a 39 year career that would take it all over the United States. It was first delivered in 1977 to Southern Airways, which merged with North Central to form Republic Airlines in July 1979 serving regional airports in the southeast. In 1981, it joined the Britt Airways fleet, this time flying regional routes in the midwest. In 1999, N62Z joined the bright green Key Lime Air fleet in Englewood, Colorado, and transported cargo throughout the U.S. before retiring in 2016. 

The Fairchild Swearingen SA226-TC Metroliner is a small twin-turboprop commuter aircraft which first flew in 1969. It was made for short-haul regional flights, with its compact size and short take-off and landing capabilities, it was ideal for smaller or less developed airports. The Metro II, introduced in 1974, was an upgraded version of the original SA226 Metro. It was faster, and more economical with increased fuel capacity and improved performance, thus a popular choice for regional carriers at the time. Only 198 total SA226-TC Metro and Metro II's were built.

We are honored to document the Metroliner as PlaneTags.  Get your piece of aviation history now.