Short Skyvan & Skyliner

United Kingdom

STOL utility transport and regional airliner

The boxy and rugged Short Skyvan and Skyliner date back to the postwar Miles Aerovan project. Development of the Skyvan, or SC.7, began in 1959 when Short decided to design a small multirole transport with good STOL performance, featuring a squared sided fuselage to accommodate bulky loads. The new design incorporated the results of Miles' research into high aspect ratio wings, with the Aerovan's wing design adopted for the SC.7. It first flew in Series 1 prototype form powered by two Continental 290kW (390hp) GTSIO520 piston engines on January 17 1963. Unlike the prototype, initial production aircraft were powered by 545kW (730shp) Turboméca Astazou XII turboprops. The original piston powered Series 1 prototype was the first Astazou powered Skyvan to fly (with 390kW/520shp Astazou IIs), in October 1963. The reengined prototype was designated the Series 1A, while early Astazou powered production aircraft were designated Series 2. Early on in the SC.7's production run Shorts decided to switch the powerplant choice to 535kW (715shp) Garrett TPE331201s, resulting in the definitive Series 3 (first flight December 15 1967). Many Series 2 Skyvans were also converted to Garrett power. The basic Series 3 and the higher takeoff weight Series 3A can perform a number of utility missions including passenger transport, ambulance, aerial survey and freight work, and are called Skyvans. The Skyliner airliner features an improved level of interior equipment and furnishing, while military Skyvans are designated Series 3M and 3M200 with a higher max takeoff weight.

Srs 3 - Two 535kW (715shp) Garrett TPE3312201A turboprops driving three blade variable pitch Hartzell propellers.

Srs 3 - Max cruising speed 324km/h (175kt), normal cruising speed 311km/h (168kt), economical cruising speed 278km/h (150kt). Initial rate of climb 1640ft/min. Service ceiling 22,500ft. Range at long range cruising speed with reserves 1115km (600nm), range in typical freighter configuration with a 1815kg (4000lb) payload and reserves at economical cruising speed 300km (162nm).

Srs 3 - Basic operating 3331kg (7344lb) for Skyvan or 4055kg (8940lb) for Skyliner, max takeoff 5670kg (12,500lb).

Srs 3 - Wing span 19.79m (64ft 11in), length 12.21m (40ft 1in), or 12.60m (41ft 4in) with weather radar, height 4.60m (15ft 1in). Wing area 35.1m2 (378sq ft).

Flightcrew of one or two. Seating for up to 19 passengers at three abreast in Skyliner, or nine passengers in executive configuration.

150 Skyvans and Skyliners built between the mid 1960s and 1987, almost all of which were Series 3s (including almost 60 military Series 3Ms).

Short Skyvan & Skyliner