April 1970 News

摘要

Never in the short history of aviation has so glowing a near-future been predicted. The way in which general aviation has been forecasted to grow in the seventies is analogous to the initial climb of an under-gross overpowered bizjet.Marking Time: A 10,000 mi. delivery flight from Oakland to Singapore has been completed by a 17-place Volpar Turboliner in 37 hr. 32 min. In so doing, the stretched and modified Beech 18 has apparently set speed records for all legs of the flight for this class of airplane. Block speeds of up to 269 mph were recorded.Swearingen's Merlin Ⅲ and Ⅳ,the newest additions to corporate turboprop line, are due at dealers this summer. Eight-place Merlin Ⅲ is basically a Merlin IIB with Metro wings, empennage and systems changes. Price of the Merlin Ⅲ is $550,000 less avionics. Merlin Ⅳ is basically a Metro (commuter liner) with corporate interior and systems. The aircraft will carry 10 passengers plus two crew. It's powered by two TPE-331s rated at 840 shp ea.Price of the Ⅳ is $615,000.