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Fairchild Metro III Turbo Prop Specifications and Charter Rates

The Fairchild Metro III is a twin-engine turboprop designed for regional journeys, blending reliable performance with a spacious cabin tailored for both passenger and cargo missions. With seating for up to 19, it delivers efficient, direct service to smaller airfields that larger jets can’t reach, all while offering operating costs that make it a standout value in the turboprop segment.


Charter clients choose the Metro III for its adaptability—serving roles from executive charter to medical evacuation and cargo transport—thanks to its generous baggage hold, robust airframe, and short-field capability. Discover specifications, cabin features, range, and answers to the most common questions about this versatile aircraft.

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Fairchild Metro III Overview

The Fairchild Metro III is a versatile turboprop airliner, engineered for multi-role operations including regional passenger transport, special missions, and cargo haulage. Its seating accommodates up to 19 passengers in a pressurized cabin, with configurations adaptable for medical or VIP charter, and its trailing-link landing gear and robust engines provide the power for dependable short-field performance.


Operators appreciate the Metro III for its fuel economy and proven reliability, with long maintenance intervals and straightforward systems that minimize downtime. Whether flying into remote strips or busy regional airports, this aircraft delivers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and payload capacity that keeps it in demand decades after its debut.


For charter clients, the Metro III means flexible routing, ample baggage space, and a cost profile that makes group travel or specialized missions accessible without compromising speed or comfort.

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Fairchild Metro III Specifications

The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

Aircraft class:

Turbo Prop

Passenger capacity:

Up to 17 (typical), 19 maximum

Crew:

2 pilots

Range:

Approximately 1346 nautical miles (around 1549 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

265 knots (about 305 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 240 knots

Service ceiling:

25000 fee

Engines:

Two Garrett TPE331-11U-612G turboprops

Thrust:

Roughly 1100 lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 4400 feet

Landing distance:

About 3667 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 85 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 181 cubic feet

First delivered:

Late 1970s

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The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

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Fairchild Metro III Range and Performance

The Metro III offers a range of approximately 1,350 nautical miles, making it ideal for regional and multi-stop flights across states or countries. Its efficient Garrett engines allow for nonstop city pairs such as Dallas to Atlanta, Los Angeles to Denver, or London to Milan, all while maintaining reserves for safety.|Even with a full passenger or cargo load, the Metro III’s short-field capability opens up access to secondary airports and remote strips that are out of reach for many jets in its class.|Cruising at 265 knots and up to 25,000 feet, the aircraft minimizes travel time and ensures comfortable conditions above weather and turbulence. Its takeoff and landing requirements are modest, bringing private aviation convenience to airports closer to your destination.

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Fairchild Metro III Cabin Experience and Interior

The stand-up cabin of the Metro III stretches nearly 6 feet in height, providing ample headroom and aisle space for passengers to move freely during flight.|Standard seating features a double-club arrangement for up to 17, with options for 19 in commuter layouts or medical stretchers for medevac missions.|Expect generous windows for natural light, fold-out tables for productivity, and a quiet environment tailored for both business and leisure journeys. The aircraft’s large baggage hold—181 cubic feet—accommodates luggage, sporting gear, or even specialized cargo, making it a favorite among groups and operators alike.|Many Metro IIIs have been refitted for VIP or executive comfort, including updated seating, in-flight power, and entertainment upgrades, ensuring every journey is as comfortable as it is practical.

Fairchild Metro III Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Fairchild Metro III typically runs in the range of $2300 to $3300 per flight hour, though the figure you are quoted depends on several factors. Rates move with the route, the season, repositioning (or ferry) time, airport fees, crew costs, and how a specific aircraft is equipped. Peak travel periods and one-way trips that leave an aircraft far from its base tend to sit at the higher end, while round trips and flights that align with an operator's existing schedule can come in lower.

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It also helps to understand how charter pricing is structured. Most quotes are built around occupied flight hours plus those repositioning costs, landing and handling fees, taxes, and crew expenses. Because Jettly is a charter marketplace rather than an aircraft operator, you can compare live quotes from multiple FAA Part 135 and book the option that fits your route and budget.

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Empty-leg flights, the discounted repositioning trips that operators are keen to fill, can also bring the cost of a Fairchild Metro III down significantly when the timing works in your favor. For an exact, current price on your specific trip, request a quote, and you will see real availability rather than an estimate.

Who Should Charter the Fairchild Metro III?

The Fairchild Metro III fits a wide set of missions, which is part of why it stays busy. It is a strong match for:

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Small executive teams traveling together to a meeting, site visit, or conference

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Regional and many transcontinental business trips that need to be completed in a single day

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Families or groups of up to eight heading to a vacation or event

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Travelers carrying bulkier baggage, such as golf clubs or ski gear

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Anyone who values flexible airport access and a stand-up cabin over the lowest possible price

While not designed for long international routes or luxury transcontinental flights, the Metro III stands out for regional charters, group movements, and specialized cargo or medical missions where reliability, payload flexibility, and cost efficiency are paramount.

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How the Fairchild Metro III Compares to Other Turbo Prop

The Fairchild Metro III was introduced in the late 1970s as a major evolution of the Metro series, building on the success of its predecessors with more powerful engines and a stretched fuselage for increased capacity.


Notable for its robust airframe and efficient performance, the Metro III quickly found favor with regional airlines and charter operators worldwide. Its design combined the proven Garrett turboprops with advanced avionics and a pressurized cabin, allowing for reliable operations in a wide range of environments.


Over 500 Metro IIIs have been produced, making it one of the most popular turboprop commuter aircraft in aviation history. Its versatility also led to adaptations for cargo, medevac, and special missions, ensuring its continued relevance and support decades after its debut.


Today, the Metro III is prized for its low operating costs, dependable systems, and the ability to serve routes and airfields that are inaccessible to larger jets, keeping it a sought-after choice for discerning operators and charter clients.

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Fairchild Metro III History and Background

The Fairchild Metro III was introduced in the late 1970s as a major evolution of the Metro series, building on the success of its predecessors with more powerful engines and a stretched fuselage for increased capacity.


Notable for its robust airframe and efficient performance, the Metro III quickly found favor with regional airlines and charter operators worldwide. Its design combined the proven Garrett turboprops with advanced avionics and a pressurized cabin, allowing for reliable operations in a wide range of environments.


Over 500 Metro IIIs have been produced, making it one of the most popular turboprop commuter aircraft in aviation history. Its versatility also led to adaptations for cargo, medevac, and special missions, ensuring its continued relevance and support decades after its debut.


Today, the Metro III is prized for its low operating costs, dependable systems, and the ability to serve routes and airfields that are inaccessible to larger jets, keeping it a sought-after choice for discerning operators and charter clients.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Fairchild Metro III Carry?

The Metro III typically seats up to 17 passengers in a double-club or commuter configuration, with some arrangements accommodating a maximum of 19. Its flexible interior allows for executive, standard passenger, or medical layouts, suiting a variety of travel needs.

What Is the Range of the Fairchild Metro III?

The Fairchild Metro III has a range of approximately 1346 nautical miles, or roughly 1549 statute miles. That is enough to fly most regional routes and many transcontinental trips nonstop, with the longest coast-to-coast legs occasionally needing a brief fuel stop depending on winds and load.

How Fast Does the Fairchild Metro III Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 265 knots (about 305 mph), with a long-range cruise near 240 knots. The aircraft's 25000-foot service ceiling lets it fly above most weather and traffic for a smoother, more direct trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Fairchild Metro III?

Charter rates generally fall between roughly $2300 and $3300 per flight hour, depending on the route, season, repositioning, and fees. Because Jettly is a marketplace, you can compare live quotes from multiple Part 135 operators and book the best option for your trip; empty-leg flights can lower the cost further.

Does the Hawker Fairchild Metro III Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes. The Metro III features a stand-up cabin nearly 6 feet high, allowing passengers to move comfortably during flight. It offers a spacious baggage compartment of 181 cubic feet and can be equipped with lavatory facilities for longer journeys.

Is the Fairchild Metro III Good for Transcontinental Flights?

The Metro III is ideal for regional routes such as Dallas to Atlanta or Los Angeles to Denver, easily covering these city pairs nonstop. For longer ranges or overwater flights, a fuel stop may occasionally be required, but the aircraft is optimized for efficient regional operations.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Fairchild Metro III jets operated by vetted FAA Part 135 Part 135 carriers. Compare live quotes, check real availability, and book with full concierge support, whether you are planning a single regional hop or a recurring travel schedule.

Enter your route and dates to get instant pricing on the Fairchild Metro III, or speak with our team about empty-leg deals and membership options that can bring your cost per trip down even further.

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