Flight Report: Denver Air Connection Metroliner SW4 - Phoenix - Cortez - Denver | Stunning Scenery!

Another rare turboprop joins the logbook as we take to the skies aboard the legendary Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner, the long, narrow “Flying Pencil” that once ruled regional routes across North America. Operated today by Denver Air Connection, this classic 9-seat machine is becoming an increasingly rare sight in passenger service, making this a flight we simply couldn’t pass up. Before departure, the morning starts with some quality spotting at Phoenix Sky Harbor, featuring a surprising lineup of special liveries, classic heavies, and even some KC-135 Stratotankers. But the real highlight awaits at the far end of the terminal, where our 1993-built Metroliner arrives to take just five passengers on an unforgettable journey from Phoenix to Cortez and onward to Denver. What follows is one of the most scenic flights we’ve ever experienced. From the deserts of Arizona to the snow-covered Rockies of Colorado, the views from the tiny Metroliner are absolutely unreal. Monument Valley-style landscapes, mesas, canyons, mountain ridges, turbulence over the Rockies, and old-school turboprop vibes combine into an experience that feels far removed from modern airline travel. Along the way we explore tiny Cortez Municipal Airport, discover some unusual aircraft on the ramp, grab lunch with the help of an incredibly friendly station manager, and enjoy the uniquely personal atmosphere that only these small regional flights can offer. With cockpit views, ramp boarding, roaring Garrett engines, and dramatic scenery from start to finish, this turns into a true AvGeek adventure. Join us for a full trip report aboard one of America’s last passenger Metroliners: a loud, quirky, and surprisingly thrilling survivor from another era of aviation. For the complete story with photos and videos, read our travel blog here: https://www.lama-aviation.com/travel-... 00:00 Intro 00:05 Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport 01:50 Boarding 03:44 Engine startup 05:00 Taxi out PHX 08:00 Take off PHX 11:16 Phoenix departure & cabin review 12:47 Scenic views 13:53 Meteorite crater 14:16 Mesas, rocks, canyons and mountains 19:34 Approach CEZ 21:20 Landing CEZ 23:00 Cortez Municipal Airport 24:45 Boarding 25:31 Engine startup 26:31 Taxi out CEZ 28:04 Take off CEZ 29:35 Scenic views 30:00 Rocky Mountains 35:15 Approaching Denver (city) 36:53 Denver Airport DEN 37:33 Approach into DEN 39:11 Landing DEN 40:33 Taxi in 42:30 Disembarking 43:21 Terminal terrace view ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Route: PHX-CEZ & CEZ-DEN Flight: KG3103 & KG3105 Aircraft: Fairchild Swearingen SA-227DC Metro 23 N885DC Seat: 2A & 7C Date: 25-10-2025 Gear: Sony AX-53, Samsung Galaxy A54 and GoPro Hero 8 Black. Music: "A Legends Adventure" by Mitchell Miller    / @mitchellmillermusic   mitchellmillermusic.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Please subscribe and follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/lama_aviation/ and read our stories at www.lama-aviation.com This video is property of LaMa Aviation and may not be used in any way without permission! If you want to use my video's please contact us on [email protected] ©LaMa Aviation, 2026