View source for Engineering:Short 360

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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name= Short 360
 |image= File:Pacific Coastal Airlines Short 360-300 C-GPCF in CYVR.jpg
 |caption= A Pacific Coastal Airlines Short 360
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
 |type= Transport aircraft 
 |manufacturer= Short Brothers
 |national origin = United Kingdom
 |first flight= 1 June 1981
 |introduced= November 1982
 |retired=
 |primary user= Air Cargo Carriers
 |more users= TransAir <br />Skyway Enterprises <br />Air Flamenco
 |produced= 1981–1991
 |number built= 165
 |unit cost=
 |developed from= [[Engineering:Short 330|Short 330]]
 |variants with their own articles= [[Engineering:Short C-23 Sherpa|Short C-23B/C Sherpa]]
}}
|}

The '''Short 360''' (also '''SD3-60'''; also '''Shorts 360''')<ref name="Mondey p. 228">Mondey, David. ''Encyclopedia of the World's Commercial and Private Aircraft''. New York: Crescent Books, 1981. {{ISBN|0-517-36285-6}}, p. 228.</ref> 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 [[Engineering:Short 330|Short 330]].

==Development==
[[File:Short 360, Short Brothers AN1135527.jpg|thumb|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 [[Engineering:Short SC.7 Skyvan|Skyvan]] in 1962, followed by the related but larger [[Engineering:Short 330|Short 330]] in 1974.
The Short 360 development was announced in 1980, with the prototype's first flight on 1 June 1981<ref>Simpson, Rod. ''Airlife's World Aircraft''.  London: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2001. {{ISBN|1-84037-115-3}}. p. 495</ref> and [[Engineering:Type certificate|type certification]] awarded on 3 September 1981.

The first production Short 360 had its maiden flight on 19 August 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1982/1982%20-%202182.html?search=Suburban|title=embraer - fairchild - 1982 - 2182 - Flight Archive}}</ref> and entered service with Suburban Airlines (later merged with Allegheny Airlines/US Airways) in November 1982.<ref>* Eastwood Tony and Roach John.''Turbo Prop Airliner Production List''.  West Drayton: The Aviation Hobby Shop, 2007. p. 455.</ref>

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&nbsp;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.<ref name="air_360">[http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=354 "Short 360."] ''Airliners.net.'' Retrieved: 9 August 2007.</ref>

==Design==

The Short 360 is a 36-seat derivative of the 30–33 seat [[Engineering:Short 330|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 {{convert|3|ft|cm|adj=on}} 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 [[Physics:Parasitic drag#Profile drag|drag]].<ref name="Mondey p. 228"/> 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.<ref name="Commuter" />

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&nbsp;ft (1,400 m) runways – opening up hundreds of airfields that would otherwise be inaccessible to airliners. With a cruise speed about {{convert|215|kn|mi/h km/h}}, at an altitude of {{convert|10000|ft|m mi}}, the [[Engineering:Cabin pressurization|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.<ref>Smith 1986, p. 2.</ref> The PT6A turboprops are fully ICAO Stage 3 noise-compliant, making the 360 one of the quietest turboprop aircraft operating today.{{fact|date=November 2022}}

==Variants==
[[File:Night Express Short 360-300(F) D-CRAS (26664182121).jpg|thumb|Nightexpress freighter with windows plugged]]

*'''360-100''' - the first production model with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65R turboprop engines.<ref name="Frawley_2003">Frawley, Gerard. ''The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004''. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd., 2003. {{ISBN|1-875671-58-7}}, p. 193.</ref>
*'''360 Advanced''' - with PT6A-65AR engines rated at 1,424 shp (1,062&nbsp;kW) each.<ref name="Frawley_2003" /> The aircraft was later redesignated ''360-200''. Introduced in late 1985.<ref name="Frawley_2003"/>
*{{visible anchor|'''360-300'''}} - with more powerful PT6A-67R engines with six-blade propellers. Higher cruise speed and improved performance.<ref name="Frawley_2003"/>
*'''360-300F''' - the freighter version of the -300,<ref name="Frawley_2003"/> with capacity for five LD3 cargo containers.
*'''[[Engineering:Short C-23 Sherpa|Short C-23 Sherpa]]''' B+ and C variants are military-configured Short 360s operated by the United States military.<ref name="olive-drab">[http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_c23sherpa.php "Olive-Drab: C-23."] ''olive-drab.com''. Retrieved 18 August 2010.</ref> Twenty-eight C-23B+ were produced by conversions of civilian Short 360 airframes, and the C-23C was a conversion of C-23B and C-23B+.

==Operators==
[[File:N569FU Short Bros SHORTS SD3-60 C-N SH-3733 "City Of Paris" (5262382588).jpg|thumb|Air Cargo Carriers is the largest operator with 17 aircraft]]

In 1998, approximately 110 360s were in service.<ref name="air_360"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/18365 |title= Worl airliner census |work= FlightGlobal |date= 15 August 2017}}</ref> 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|date=October 2014}}

Current and previous operators have included:

=== Civil operators ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
;{{flag|Australia}}
*Hazelton Airlines
*Murray Valley Airlines
*Sunshine Express Airlines
*[[Company:Sunstate Airlines|Sunstate Airlines]] (QantasLink)
*Airlines of Tasmania
;{{flag|Aruba}}
*Tiara Air
;{{flag|Bahamas}}
*Bahamasair
*Pineapple Air
;{{flag|Canada}}
*Pacific Coastal Airlines
*Time Air
;{{flag|China}}
*CAAC Airlines
*[[Company:China Southern Airlines|China Southern Airlines]]
;{{flag|Costa Rica}}
*TACA (SANSA)
;{{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}
*Malu Aviation
;{{flag|Dominican Republic}}
*SAP Air Group
;{{flag|Germany}}
*Nightexpress
*Rheinland Air Service (RAS)
*Express Airways (EPA)
;{{flag|Greece}}
*  Olympic Airways
;{{flag|Guam}}
*Freedom Air (Guam)<ref>[http://www.freedomairguam.com/charter.htm "Freedom Air."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807161930/http://www.freedomairguam.com/charter.htm |date=7 August 2008 }} ''freedomairguam.com''. Retrieved 18 August 
2010.</ref>
;{{flag|Guatemala}}
*TACA (INTER)
;{{flag|Guernsey}}
*Aurigny
;{{flag|Honduras}}
*TACA (ISLEÑA)<ref>[http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori/s360.html "HR-IAP."] ''biglobe.ne.jp''. Retrieved 18 August 2010.</ref>
;{{flag|Ireland}}
*Aer Arann
*Aer Lingus<ref>[http://www.airliners.net/open.file/223859/M/ "EI-BSP."] ''airliners.net.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>
;{{flag|Israel}}
*Ayit Aviation and Tourism
;{{flag|Nicaragua}}
*TACA (LA COSTENA)<ref>[http://www.airliners.net/photo/La-Costeña/Short-360/0996521/&sid=1f933cdb7ce66c67fb685d50ffd820d3 "La Costeña."] ''airliners.net''.</ref>
;{{flag|Northern Mariana Islands}}
*Pacific Island Aviation
;{{flag|Panama}}
*TACA Aeroperlas
;{{flag|Philippines}}
*Philippine Airlines
;{{flag|Portugal}}
*Aero Vip
;{{flag|Puerto Rico}}
*Air Flamenco
*M&N Aviation
;{{flag|Seychelles}}
*Air Seychelles (Former)
;{{flag|Thailand}}
*Thai Airways<ref>[http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori/s360.html "HS-TSE."] ''biglobe.ne.jp.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>
;{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*Air Ecosse
*Air Europe
*AirUK
*Aurigny Air Services
*BAC Express Airlines
*Bon Accord Airways
*British Regional Airways/Loganair<ref>[http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/jcurry/balogan.htm "G-BNMT."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050303232108/http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/jcurry/balogan.htm |date=3 March 2005 }} ''users.zetnet.co.uk.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>
*Capital Airlines (UK)
*CityFlyer Express
*Connectair
*Community Express Airlines
*Emerald Airways
*Euroworld / CityFlyer Express
*Gill Airways<ref>[http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/jcurry/gillshort.htm "G-BNYI."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102011144/http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/jcurry/gillshort.htm |date=2 November 2005 }} ''users.zetnet.co.uk.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>
*HD Air ''(formerly BAC Express)''<ref>[http://www.hdair.com/fleet.htm "Fleet: G-CLAS," "G-EXPS," "G-TMRA" and "G-TMRB."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331055136/http://www.hdair.com/fleet.htm |date=31 March 2009 }} ''hdair.com''. Retrieved 18 August 2010.</ref>
*Jersey European (now Flybe)<ref>[http://www.airliners.net/open.file/629226/M/ G-OBHD] Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>
*Loganair
*Manx Airlines 
*Titan Airways 
;{{flag|United States}}
*  Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)
* Allegheny Commuter Airlines
::'' (operated by Pennsylvania Airlines and Suburban Airlines) ''
*American Eagle
::'' (operated by Executive Airlines, Flagship Airlines and Simmons Airlines) ''
*Air Cargo Carriers
* Business Express
* Comair
* Dash Air
*Federal Express<ref>[http://www.fedex.com/ag/about/facts.html "About FedEx: FedEx Facts."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807181403/http://www.fedex.com/ag/about/facts.html |date=7 August 2007 }} ''FedEx''. Retrieved 18 May 2011.</ref>
*Gulfstream International Airlines
* Imperial Airlines
* Interisland Airways (Hawaii)
* Mississippi Valley Airlines (MVA)
*Skyway Enterprises, Inc 
*Trans Executive Airlines
* Trans International Express
* United Express
::'' (operated by WestAir Commuter Airlines) ''
* US Airways Express
::'' (operated by Allegheny Commuter Airlines) ''
*US Forest Service (smokejumper aircraft)

A number of small air cargo airlines have also operated the Short 360 in freight operations in the U.S.
}}

=== Military operators ===
;{{flag|United States}}
*US Army
;{{flag|Venezuela}}
*{{wipe|Venezuelan Air Force}} (Fuerza Aérea Venezolana)

==Accidents and incidents==
The Short 360 has been involved in 15 hull-loss accidents, resulting in the loss of 16 airframes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranter|first=Harro|title=Short 360: hull losses|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?field=typecode&var=441%25&cat=%251&sorteer=datekey&page=1|access-date=24 April 2013|website=aviation-safety.net|publisher=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref>
* 22 October 1985: A CAAC flight overran the runway while landing at Enshi Airport. There were no fatalities, but the airframe was written off.
* 31 January 1986: An Aer Lingus flight crashed on approach to East Midlands Airport, UK, due to airframe icing and turbulent conditions. There were no fatalities, but the airframe was written off.
* 13 December 1987: Philippine Airlines Flight 443, using a Short 360 registration EI-BTJ crashed into a 5,000' mountain in the {{wipe|Philippines}} while approaching Iligan. All 11 passengers and 4 crew on board were killed.
* 28 November 1989: A newly built aircraft, not yet delivered to a customer, was destroyed by a bomb on the apron at Belfast City Airport, Northern Ireland. The device had been planted by the IRA. There were no fatalities., 
* 20 August 1990: A CCAir aircraft parked at Charlotte-Douglas Airport (Charlotte, North Carolina, US) was blown by a wind gust into an electrical power cart, and a fire started. There were no fatalities, but the airframe was written off.
* 25 November 1997: An aircraft operated by Corporate Air landed heavily at Billings-Logan Airport (Billings, Montana, US) in gusty wind conditions. The nosewheel strut collapsed, leading to a crash with the loss of the airframe. There were no fatalities.
* 9 February 1998: A British Regional Airlines aircraft landed heavily at Stornoway Airport In Scotland. The undercarriage was damaged leading to a crash with the loss of the airframe. There were no fatalities. 
[[File:Shorts 360 right landing gear fire.jpg|thumb|right|Air Cargo Carriers Flight 1290 damage caused by brake fire.]]
* 13 January 2000: A Sirte Oil Company Short 360 crashed on approach near Brega;  22 of the 41 passengers and crew on board were killed.
* 23 September 2000: A Gill Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing after its left engine failed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12156279.Engine_failure_hits_flight/|title=Engine failure hits flight|website=The Herald|date=23 September 2000 |location=Glasgow|language=en|access-date=2018-08-02}}</ref> There were no injuries.
* 4 February 2001: Short 360-100 registration ''EI-BPD'', carrying 25 passengers and 3 crew,<ref>https://reports.aviation-safety.net/2001/20010204-0_SH36_EI-BPD.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> was damaged beyond repair following a hard landing at Sheffield City Airport after a scheduled Aer Arann Express passenger flight from Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20010204-0|title = ASN Aircraft accident Shorts 360-100 EI-BPD Sheffield City Airport (SZD)}}</ref> There were no injuries.
* 27 February 2001: Loganair Flight 670A crashed into the Firth of Forth in Scotland shortly after takeoff from Edinburgh Airport. Both engines failed after ingesting  blowing snow while on the ground. Both pilots were killed (no others on board).
* 21 August 2004: A {{wipe|Venezuelan Air Force}} Short 360 crashed into a mountain while descending to land at Maracay, killing all 30 people on board in the deadliest aviation accident involving a Short 360.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranter|first=Harro|title=ASN Aircraft accident Shorts 360-300 FAV-1652 Maracay|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20040821-0|access-date=2021-03-24|website=aviation-safety.net|publisher=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DETRESFA FAV-1652, SHORT BROTHERS, SD3-30 |url=http://www.rescate.com/fav1652.html |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=www.rescate.com}}</ref>
* 16 December 2004: An Air Cargo Carriers aircraft was lost at Oshawa Municipal Airport. After landing on a snow-covered runway, the pilot attempted a go-around when he realized he would be unable to stop. The aircraft failed to gain altitude and crashed. There were no fatalities.
* 5 February 2006: Two Short 360-300 freighters, modded for a DOD contract, operated by Air Cargo Carriers, were flying in formation when they collided near Watertown, Wisconsin, US. N3735W attempted to maneuver below N372AC in a right turn and struck the left/ underside of N372AC.  The left wing outer section of N3735W was struck and separated by the leading edge of N372AC's left wing, and the aircraft crashed, killing all three occupants. The left propeller of N3735W had struck the forward section of the left "stub wing" of N372AC (the structure housing the left main landing gear and hydraulic service panel).  N372AC sustained severe damage, including structural, engine, propeller (losing several blades), aerodynamic, and complete hydraulic failure (affecting flaps, landing gear, nose wheel steering, and primary brakes).  The crew managed to make an emergency landing at Dodge County Airport in Juneau, WI (KUNU), but overran the runway due to the damage to the aircraft.  The left aileron of N3735W was found on the runway that N372AC landed on.  Both crewmen survived uninjured, but N372AC was damaged beyond reasonable repair. 
* 17 May 2012: An Air Cargo Carriers Short 360 (registration N617FB) was substantially damaged following a wheel brake fire during taxi at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas. There were no injuries to the flight crew of two. The airplane was 60 pounds over Max. takeoff weight and during the long  taxi to position for takeoff the crew used a higher than normal power setting and rode the brakes in an attempt to lower weight by burning fuel. Its intended destination was Austin, Texas.
* 29 October 2014: A Skyway Enterprises Short SD-360 (registration N380MQ) cargo flight on behalf of FedEx, scheduled from Sint Maarten, Kingdom of Netherlands to San Juan, Puerto Rico lost altitude during climb out and crashed into the water about 2 nautical miles off the end of runway at about 18:35L (22:35 UTC), killing both members of the flight crew.
* 23 December 2021: A Malu Aviation Shorts 360-300 is reported to have crashed in D.R. Congo, killing all five on board.

==Specifications (360-300)==
[[File:Short 360-300, Nightexpress AN0386943.jpg|thumb|Front view showing the square cross section and braced wing]]
[[File:Short SD360 cabin interior.jpg|thumb|Three-abreast seating of aircraft]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Flight International<ref name="Commuter">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%201242.html |title= Commuter Aircraft Directory |magazine= Flight International |date= 7 May 1988|pages=60–61 |volume=133 |issue=4112}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=Three (Two pilots plus one cabin crew)
|capacity=36 passengers
|length m=21.58
|length ft=
|length in=
|span m=22.81
|span ft=
|span in=
|height m=7.21
|height ft=
|height in=
|wing area sqm=42.09
|wing area sqft=454
|airfoil=NACA 63A modified<ref name="Janes 88 p305-7">Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89''. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data, 1988. {{ISBN|0-7106-0867-5}}, pp. 305–307.</ref>

|empty weight kg=7870
|empty weight note=<ref name="Janes 88 p305-7"/>
|max takeoff weight kg=12292
|gross weight lb=
|fuel capacity={{convert|2182|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}}
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AR
|eng1 type=[[Engineering:Turboprop|turboprop]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=1424<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=404
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=(max cruise at FL 100)
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed kts=180
|cruise speed note=(Long range cruise at FL100)
|stall speed km/h=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=861
|range note=full tanks, {{cvt|2569|kg|lb}} payload

|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=20000
|ceiling note=MSL<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/008b2d9df375254a862572a7005caa04/$FILE/A41eu.pdf |publisher= FAA |title= Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A41EU: Revision 13|date= 21 March 2007 |access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>

|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=952
|climb rate note=<ref name="Janes 88 p305-7"/>
|fuel consumption lb/mi= {{#expr:820/(200*1.15)round2}}<!--1.15mi per nmi-->
|fuel consumption note=  {{cvt|820|lb}}/h at {{cvt|200|kn|km/h}} TAS<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%201538.html |title= Shorts 360 Flight Test : Shorts' high-selling regional |author= Harry Hopkins |magazine= Flight International |date= 20 August 1983}}</ref>
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
*[[Engineering:Short 330|Short 330]]
*[[Engineering:Short C-23 Sherpa|Short C-23 Sherpa]]
*[[Engineering:Short SC.7 Skyvan|Short SC.7 Skyvan]]
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
*[[Engineering:List of civil aircraft|List of civil aircraft]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Commons and category|Short 360}}
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=354 Short 360 page on Airliners.net]
* {{cite magazine |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%201538.html |title= Shorts 360 Flight Test : Shorts' high-selling regional |author= Harry Hopkins |magazine= Flight International |date= 20 August 1983}}
* Barnes C.H. and Derek N. James.''Shorts Aircraft since 1900''.  London: Putnam, 1989. {{ISBN|0-85177-819-4}}.
* Donald, David, ed. ''The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft''. London: Aurum, 1999. {{ISBN|1-85410-642-2}}.


[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]

{{Sourceattribution|Short 360}}