Short 360
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| Short 360 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Short 360 |
| Type | Regional airliner |
| Manufacturer | Short Brothers |
| First flight | 1969 |
| Introduced | 1981 |
| Produced | 1981–1991 |
| Status | Retired/limited service |
Short 360 is a twin-engined, high-wing commuter turboprop built by Short Brothers in Belfast for regional airline operations. It followed designs and production lineage associated with Short Skyvan and Short 330 families and competed with aircraft from De Havilland and Fokker operators in the European Union and United States. The type saw service with flag carriers, commuter airlines, and military operators across Europe, North America, and Asia during the late 20th century.
Development and design
The Short 360 was developed by Short Brothers in response to market demand identified by regional carriers such as British Airways and Air France and industry analyses from IATA and ICAO. The design evolution traced to the boxy fuselage of the Short Skyvan and the stretched Short 330, incorporating a longer fin and improved cabin like contemporary designs from Fokker and Hawker Siddeley. Development prototypes flew amid testing regimes overseen by Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) and Federal Aviation Administration certification teams, with design influences comparable to aircraft from Britten-Norman and De Havilland Canada. Production at the Bombardier Aerospace-era facilities in Belfast emphasized ease of maintenance, features adopted by operators including United Airlines regional partners and military units such as those of Royal Air Force and Irish Air Corps.
Operational history
Commercial entry was marked by operations with commuter carriers like British Airways CityFlyer-era constituents, Air Anglia successors, and regional subsidiaries of American Airlines and Delta Air Lines codeshare partners. Cargo and utility conversions found roles with freight specialists such as UPS Airlines-affiliated contractors and humanitarian organizations like Red Cross missions in Africa and Asia. Military and government operators included surveillance duties akin to platforms used by Royal Navy and United States Air Force contractors, and the type participated in public service tasks similar to those flown by EMAS or Bundeswehr liaison fleets. Market pressures from competitors like De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, ATR 42, and Beechcraft 1900 shaped retirement timetables driven by European Commission environmental and noise regulations and modern fleet renewals by carriers such as Ryanair-linked subsidiaries.
Variants
The family included civil and governmental variants paralleling offerings from Fokker and Short Brothers earlier models, with conversions often undertaken by firms associated with Derco Aerospace and Marshall Aerospace. Passenger-configured models were comparable to variants from Bombardier Aerospace and Saab, while freight, combi, and aerial survey versions mirrored adaptations used by Lockheed Martin contractors and Airbus subcontractors. Military special mission adaptations saw sensor suites similar to systems deployed on platforms by Leonardo S.p.A. and Thales Group, and VIP interiors were fitted for agencies akin to United Nations delegations and state transport services.
Specifications
Typical specifications included a high-wing twin-turboprop layout with capacity in line with regional types from Fokker and Beechcraft families, powered by engines comparable to units produced by Pratt & Whitney and propellers of types supplied to ATR and Sikorsky support markets. Performance and payload figures were aligned with commuter requirements serviced by IATA route structures and airport infrastructures such as London City Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport satellite operations. Systems integration reflected standards used by certification authorities like EASA and FAA.
Operators
Major civilian operators mirrored patterns seen with regional fleets of British Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and charter specialists akin to UPS Airlines and FedEx Express affiliates. Military and government operators included entities similar to Royal Air Force, Irish Air Corps, and assorted African and Asian air arms that also operated types from Antonov and Let Kunovice. Humanitarian and corporate operators included organizations with profiles like Red Cross, World Food Programme, and corporate flight departments servicing multinational firms.
Accidents and incidents
The Short 360 experienced incidents comparable in profile to commuter accidents investigated by bodies like Air Accidents Investigation Branch and National Transportation Safety Board, some involving controlled flight into terrain, runway excursions, and hard landings, attracting regulatory responses from ICAO and national aviation authorities. Investigations often referenced maintenance practices and operational procedures similar to those assessed in inquiries involving aircraft from De Havilland Canada and Fokker fleets.
Category:Short Brothers aircraft