Shorts - 330
In October 1989 Bombardier, acquired Short Brothers plc (Shorts). Shorts was founded in 1901, and the company received the first aircraft production contract in history from the Wright brothers in 1909.
The Shorts 330 is an 18-30 seat commuter aircraft. It first flew in August 1974 and is an enlarged version of the Shorts SC.7 Skyvan. It was certified in February 1976 and entered service in August of the same year with Canada’s Time Air.
The first 26 aircraft had two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 45A powerplants and the following 40 aircraft had two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 45B powerplants. These aircraft are known as Shorts 330-100’s.
In 1985, the Shorts 330-200 was introduced. This sub-model has more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 45R powerplants and an increased fuel capacity.
Variants include the Shorts 330-UTT (Utility Tactical Transport) designed for the US Army with inward opening in the rear fuselage and strengthened floors; the Shorts C-23A Sherpa was designed for the US Air Force, and has more advanced freight options than the 330-UTT, with hydraulically operated rear ramp and roller conveyer systems. The C-23A first flew in August 1984 and 18 were delivered in 1985. In 1990 a further 16 were delivered to US Army with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 45AR powerplants. These were designated C-23B Sherpa’s.
Production of the Shorts 330 ended in 1992.
