Short 360

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Short 360
Pacific Coastal Airlines Short 360-300 C-GPCF in CYVR.jpg
A Pacific Coastal Airlines Short 360
RoleTransport aircraft
National originUnited Kingdom
Manufacturer Short Brothers
First flight1 June 1981
IntroductionNovember 1982
Primary users Air Cargo Carriers
TransAir
Skyway Enterprises
Air Flamenco
Produced1981–1991
Number built165
Developed from Short 330
Variants Short C-23B/C Sherpa

The Short 360 (also SD3-60; also Shorts 360) [1] is a commuter aircraft that was built by UK manufacturer Short Brothers during the 1980s. The Short 360 seats up to 39 passengers and was introduced into service in November 1982. It is a larger version of the Short 330.

Contents

Development

The prototype at the 1982 Farnborough Airshow Short 360, Short Brothers AN1135527.jpg
The prototype at the 1982 Farnborough Airshow

During the 1970s, the world's commuter airline market began to evolve from the 20-seat class to larger and more comfortable cabins. Short Brothers of Northern Ireland had created the Skyvan in 1962, followed by the related but larger Short 330 in 1974. The Short 360 development was announced in 1980, with the prototype's first flight on 1 June 1981 [2] and type certification awarded on 3 September 1981.

The first production Short 360 had its maiden flight on 19 August 1982 [3] and entered service with Suburban Airlines (later merged with Allegheny Airlines/US Airways) in November 1982. [4]

After initiating production with the basic model, Short marketed a number of 360 developments. First was the 360 Advanced, in late 1985, with 1,424 shp (1,062 kW) PT6A-65-AR engines. That was followed by the 360/300, in March 1987, with six-blade propellers, more powerful PT6A-67R engines, and aerodynamic improvements, giving a higher cruise speed and improved "hot and high" performance. The 360/300 was also built in 360/300F freighter configuration.

Production of the 360 ceased in 1991 after 165 deliveries. [5]

Design

The Short 360 is a 36-seat derivative of the 30–33 seat Short 330. In high density configuration, 39 passengers could be carried. The two Short airliners have a high degree of commonality and are very close in overall dimensions. The later 360 is easily identified by a larger, swept tail unit mounted on a revised rear fuselage. The 360 has a 3-foot (91 cm) fuselage "plug" which gave sufficient additional length for two more seat rows (six more passengers), while the extra length smoothed out the aerodynamic profile and reduced drag. [1] Seating is arranged with two seats on the starboard side of the cabin and one seat on the port side. The 360's power is supplied by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65Rs. [6]

Building on the strengths and reputation of its 330 antecedent, the 360s found a niche in regional airline use worldwide, being able to operate comfortably from 4,500 ft (1,400 m) runways – opening up hundreds of airfields that would otherwise be inaccessible to airliners. With a cruise speed about 215 knots (247 mph; 398 km/h), at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m; 1.9 mi), the unpressurized 360 was not the fastest turboprop in its market, but it offered acceptable performance at a reasonable price, combined with ease of service and maintainability. [7] The PT6A turboprops are fully ICAO Stage 3 noise-compliant, making the 360 one of the quietest turboprop aircraft operating today.[ citation needed ]

Variants

Nightexpress freighter with windows plugged Night Express Short 360-300(F) D-CRAS (26664182121).jpg
Nightexpress freighter with windows plugged

Operators

Air Cargo Carriers is the largest operator with 17 aircraft N569FU Short Bros SHORTS SD3-60 C-N SH-3733 "City Of Paris" (5262382588).jpg
Air Cargo Carriers is the largest operator with 17 aircraft

In 1998, approximately 110 360s were in service. [5] In 2017 there were 42 Short 360 in service: 17 with Air Cargo Carriers, 6 with TransAir, 4 with Skyway Enterprises, 3 with Air Flamenco, 2 with Benair, Deraya Air Taxi and Freedom Air (Guam), 1 with Ayit Aviation, Comeravia, Gryphon Airlines, International Trans Air Business, Malu Aviation and Nightexpress. [10] The Short 360 specifically proved very popular with the UK's regional airlines including the Isle of Man-based-Manx. This fed passengers into larger hubs in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.[ citation needed ]

Current and previous operators have included:

Civil operators

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Aruba.svg  Aruba
Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Malu Aviation
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic
  • SAP Air Group
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece
  • Olympic Airways
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey
Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua
Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of the United States.svg  United States
  • Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)
  • Allegheny Commuter Airlines
(operated by Pennsylvania Airlines and Suburban Airlines)
(operated by Executive Airlines, Flagship Airlines and Simmons Airlines)
(operated by WestAir Commuter Airlines)
(operated by Allegheny Commuter Airlines)
A number of small air cargo airlines have also operated the Short 360 in freight operations in the U.S.

Military operators

Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela

Accidents and incidents

The Short 360 has been involved in 15 hull-loss accidents, resulting in the loss of 16 airframes. [21]

Air Cargo Carriers Flight 1290 damage caused by brake fire. Shorts 360 right landing gear fire.jpg
Air Cargo Carriers Flight 1290 damage caused by brake fire.

Specifications (360-300)

Front view showing the square cross section and braced wing Short 360-300, Nightexpress AN0386943.jpg
Front view showing the square cross section and braced wing
Three-abreast seating of aircraft Short SD360 cabin interior.jpg
Three-abreast seating of aircraft

Data from Flight International [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

Related Research Articles

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References

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Further reading