IATA SH6ICAO SH36

Shorts SD.360

Shorts

TravelerPulse profile

Sturdy British regional turboprop serving short-haul commuter routes.

First flight

1981

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

Range

1,178 km

Engines

Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65R turboprops

Status

Retired

The Shorts SD.360 is a twin-turboprop commuter aircraft developed by Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is an enlarged derivative of the Shorts SD.330, featuring a stretched fuselage, a single vertical tail replacing the twin-tail arrangement, and seating for up to 36 passengers. It was designed to offer improved aerodynamics and capacity for regional airline operations. The SD.360 first flew in 1981 and entered service shortly thereafter, finding customers primarily among regional and commuter airlines in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. Its boxy, high-wing configuration offered a commodious cabin and excellent short-field performance. Production ended in 1991 after approximately 165 aircraft were built. While most have been retired from passenger service, some continue to operate in cargo and utility roles worldwide.

Notable operators

Major operators included Air Midwest, Command Airways, and various other regional carriers across the United States and Europe.

Notable facts

›The SD.360 is an enlarged development of the Shorts SD.330 with a single fin replacing the twin-tail design.
›Approximately 165 aircraft were built before production ended in 1991.
›The aircraft features a distinctive slab-sided, high-wing design optimized for passenger and freight flexibility.
›Some SD.360s were converted for military and freight operations after retirement from passenger service.
›The type was marketed heavily in the United States commuter airline market during the 1980s deregulation era.