Short 330

The Short 330, originally designated the SD3‑30, is a twin‑engine, high‑wing transport aircraft produced by Short Brothers in Northern Ireland. First flown on 27 August 1974, it entered service in 1976 as a rugged, short‑haul freighter and passenger liner. Designed to replace the aging Britannia and to complement the Short 360, the 330 featured a boxy, 30‑seat fuselage with a fixed landing gear and a large rear cargo door, allowing rapid loading of pallets, vehicles and livestock. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A‑65 turboprops, it could cruise at 210 knots and operate from short, unpaved runways, making it popular with regional airlines, military operators, and charter companies worldwide. Over 140 units were built before production ceased in 1992, and many remain in service as cargo aircraft or skydiving platforms. The Short 330’s straightforward design, low operating costs and versatility helped open remote airfields to reliable air transport, contributing to the growth of regional aviation in Europe, Africa and the Pacific. Its legacy lives on in the more refined Short 360, which built upon the 330’s proven concept and continues to inspire modern utility aircraft designs.

Short Brothers

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