Short Brothers Sd3-30

Twin Turboprop

The Short 330 is a rugged twin-turboprop commuter aircraft built by Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland, from 1974 through 1992. Designed as a stretched derivative of the earlier Skyvan utility transport, the 330 retained the boxy fuselage and high wing but added a 30-seat cabin, retractable landing gear, and more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-45R engines. Its distinctive square-section fuselage earned it the nickname "flying shoebox" among pilots, but the design delivered exceptional cargo volume and operational simplicity for short-haul regional routes. The type found favor with commuter airlines across Europe, North America, and the Pacific, particularly in markets requiring mixed passenger-freight capability and rough-field performance. Over 130 aircraft were delivered before production ended, with the type serving reliably in roles ranging from scheduled passenger service to cargo feeders and military transport. The 330's straightforward systems, robust landing gear, and ability to operate from unpaved strips made it a workhorse for operators in challenging environments, though its modest cruise speed of around 180 knots and utilitarian cabin limited its appeal as jet-powered regional aircraft entered service in the 1990s. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with activity spanning routes.