On this day in aviation history, 63 years ago (January 17, 1963), the Short SC.7 Skyvan flew for the first time. Nicknamed the “Flying Shoebox” due to the overall shape of the airframe, the SC.7 is a turboprop utility aircraft designed and built in Ireland by Short Brothers. The SC.7 is a strong, robust design that features STOL capabilities. Skyvans are twin-engined, high-wing monoplane designs with a braced, high-aspect-ratio wing. The fuselage was designed to accommodate people and cargo, giving the SC.7 the ability to deliver goods and people in and out of difficult spots.
The SC.7 Skyvan initially caught on with freight operators, due to the large rear door. This made the fuselage more accessible for loading and unloading the aircraft. Some militaries have flown the SC.7, including the Japanese Coast Guard and Mexican Air Force. Guyana and Oman still fly the Skyvan in their militaries. Airlines also found use for the Skyvan for short-haul “puddle jumping” flights, including British Airways and Gulf Aviation. Today, the type sees extensive use as an aerial photography and skydiving platform. Shorts’ Skyvan 3 was powered by two Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-2-201A turboprop engines, each with 715 shaft horsepower. The aircraft is flown by 1 or 2 pilots, and has a capacity for 19 passengers. The Skyvan can attain a maximum airspeed of 201 mph but will typically cruise at 173 mph. A range of 602 nautical miles, and a service ceiling of 22,5000 feet give the SC.7 ample space within which to carry people and supplies. Takeoff run to 50 feet altitude is 1,581 feet, while landing from 50 feet is accomplished within 1,860 feet. Between 1963 and 1986, Shorts manufactured a total of 149 SC.7 airframes. As mentioned above, a handful remain in limited civilian service.
