The Shorts 330, also known as the Short 330 or Shorts SD3-30, is a small, regional commuter aircraft that was designed and built by Short Brothers of Northern Ireland. It’s a bit of a boxy-looking plane, but that design gave it some serious advantages in terms of cargo and passenger space.

Here are some quick facts about the Shorts 330:

✈️ Overview:

• Role: Regional commuter aircraft / light cargo transport
• First flight: August 22, 1974
• Introduced: 1976
• Manufacturer: Short Brothers (aka Shorts)
• Production ended: Late 1980s
• Total built: Around 136

🛠️ Design & Specs:

• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45R turboprops
• Cruising speed: ~180 knots (207 mph / 333 km/h)
• Range: ~940 nautical miles (1,741 km)
• Capacity: Up to 30 passengers or equivalent cargo
• Crew: 2 (pilot and co-pilot)
• Unpressurized cabin, which limited its ceiling a bit (~20,000 ft max)

🧱 Distinctive Features:

• Boxy fuselage – Not the most aerodynamic, but maximized usable interior space
• Fixed landing gear – Simple and rugged for short or rough runways
• High wing – Provided good ground clearance and visibility
• Large cargo door – On some versions, which made it a favorite for freight

🛫 Use Cases:

• Widely used by commuter airlines in the U.S. and Europe in the 70s and 80s
• Some versions were used by military operators (like the U.S. Air Force as the C-23 Sherpa)
• Its robust and simple design made it ideal for operations in remote or less-developed areas

🧳 Variants:

• Shorts 330-100 / -200: Basic passenger variants
• Shorts 330-UTT: Utility Tactical Transport version
• C-23 Sherpa: U.S. military variant with rear cargo ramp (based on the 330 and later the 360)