> Short SC.7 SKYVAN

The Short SC7 Skyvan is a 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft manufactured by Short Brothers and Harland of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is an all-metal high-wing monoplane with a braced high aspect ratio wing (patented by Hurel-Dubois) and has an unpressurised square-section fuselage. It is used mainly for short-haul freight and parachuting. The aircraft possesses unsurpassed STOL capabilities and can operate from short and unprepared runways.

Specifications:

Wing span: 19.78 m (64 ft 11 in)
Length: 12.21 m (40 ft 1 in)
Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
Empty Weight: 3,331 kg (7,344 lb)
Max. Weight: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
Powerplant: 2x Garrett TPE331 of 715shp
Speed: 325 km/h, 175 knots (202 mph)
Service Ceiling: 6858 m (22,500 ft)
Range: 1,117 km (694 miles)

> History

The first flight of the prototype occurred on 17 January 1963, powered by two Continental piston engines. The prototype was re-engined with Turbomeca Astazou turboprop engines later in 1963. Production switched in 1968 to the Skyvan Series 3 aircraft, with the installation of Garrett AiResearch TPE331 turboprop engines. A total of 153 Skyvans were produced by the time production ended in 1986. It is affectionately called "the shed" by pilots and crew.

> Team

The pilots and crew displaying the Skyvan are all highly experienced and are involved in the day-to-day operations in the military parachuting role for various services all over Europe. They aim to present the aircraft to it’s best advantage for both static or flying displays.

> Display

The unique Shorts SC7 Skyvan is available for air displays all over Europe demonstrating it’s unique STOL and parachute delivery capabilities.