Shorts - 360
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 360 was designed after the success of simple and inexpensive 330 in 1980. It is a stretched derivative of the 330 with more powerful powerplants for operations with higher weights and better performance. The 360 can also hold 36 passengers.
The first Shorts 360 prototype flew in June 1981, was certified in September 1982, and was entered into commercial service in November 1982 with Suburban Airlines; a US that merged with Allegheny Airlines in 1984 and were subsequently acquired by US Airways Group in 1986.
Originally designed with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 65 powerplants, the Shorts 360 Advanced was produced in 1986 with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 65AR powerplants and in March 1987 the Shorts 360-300 was produced by using six-bladed propellers with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A 65AR powerplants. The 360-300 was also available in a freighter variant.
Shorts 360 production ceased in 1991 after producing 164 of the model.
In 1994 20 Shorts 360’s were converted to form C-23B+ variants for the US National Guard. The C-23B+ has a twin fin and upgraded avionics.
