Interactive comparison

Compare ownership, not brochures

Purchase price is only one part of the decision. Figures are indicative estimates at the typical market year for each model.

Decision factor	Fairchild Swearingen Merlin IVCView aircraft profile	Fairchild Swearingen Merlin IIICView aircraft profile	BAE Systems Jetstream 31 / 32 familyView aircraft profile
Typical market year	1984	1982	1988
Estimated purchase	€795k	€786k	€777k
Annual cash cost at 80 h	€526k	€516k	€470k
Five-year cash outlay	€3.43m	€3.37m	€3.13m
Cruise speed	264 kt	284 kt	264 kt
Advertised range	1140 nm	1257 nm	983 nm
Seats	15	10	11
Realistic payload	1170 kg	720 kg	810 kg
Runway need	950 m	900 m	1000 m
Data confidence	Preliminary — verify source data before deciding	Preliminary — verify source data before deciding	Preliminary — verify source data before deciding
Main trade-off	The Merlin IVC combines 15-seat turboprop capability with about 1,140 NM reported range and about 264 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.	The Merlin IIIC combines 10-seat turboprop capability with about 1,257 NM reported range and about 284 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.	The Jetstream 31/32 combines 11-seat turboprop capability with about 983 NM reported range and about 264 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.

Popular head-to-head guides

Start with the decision pilots are actually researching

Each guide adds mission context and links back into the live comparison and Finder.

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A modern Jet A trainer and tourer compared with the most familiar four-seat training platform.

No generic winner