Aircraft Performance

The Merlin series aircraft have proven themselves over the years in corporate, cargo and military applications worldwide

Safety

The structural integrity of the Merlin aircraft is unsurpassed in its class with a safety record that bears this out. The Merlin III series has dual-wing spars that stretch from wing tip to wing tip. As you get to know the Merlin aircraft, “dual fail-safe design” becomes very reassuring. The Merlin has dual wheels on all three landing gears and is pressurized to a differential of 7 PSI, providing a sea-level cabin to 16,800 ft.

Aircraft Age

Aircraft age is a concept that is often misconstrued. It is more appropriate to measure the age of an aircraft based upon the total time on the airframe rather than the year of manufacture. An aircraft ages due to structural fatigue caused by either the cycles on the airframe or corrosion. A low-cycle aircraft, free of corrosion is a younger aircraft than a high-time newer model.

Furthermore, the technological leap in aircraft design and manufacturing over the past 30 years is largely a function of engines and electronics. Little has changed in the airframe itself, other than lighter materials such as graphite composites and titanium. The TPE-331 series engine that powers the Merlin series remains the most efficient engine in the 800-1,400 SHP class.

Latest Technology

Merlin One aircraft have the latest generation of avionics. Each aircraft in the program will be fitted with the latest Garmin series moving map GPS, Traffic Avoidance, Terrain Awareness and real-time XM Satellite Weather systems as found on the latest production corporate or commercial jets. The total cost of the electronic upgrade is $115,000 per aircraft, installed. Five years ago, this technological upgrade would have cost in excess of $750,000.

Airlift, based upon its knowledge and history with the Merlin series is taking a more aggressive residual value assumption on the Merlin One fleet than most owners/lessors would entertain.

Merlin One number tel: 210-366-8766