ASIM, jul 24
At the Farnborough International Airshow, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Shorts Brothers 330 flight in 1974. The Short 330, a 30-seat twin-turboprop aircraft, evolved from the Short Skyvan and led to the development of various military utility versions, including the Sherpa, in the early 1980s. De Havilland Canada acquired the SD 3-60 C-23B+ Sherpa in 2019 after its service in the US Army. The Sherpa, along with the Short Skyvan and Short 330 & 360 type certificates, joined De Havilland Canada’s portfolio in 2019, known for their robustness and operational flexibility in regional air transport and specialized operations.
The 50-year anniversary celebration of the Short 330 at Farnborough highlights the aircraft family’s enduring legacy, technological advancements, and impact on the aerospace industry. The Sherpa, a rugged and reliable STOL aircraft, continues to be valued for its versatility in roles such as cargo or passenger transport, paratroop, and humanitarian missions, capable of operating in challenging environments. Over 450 Short Skyvan and Short 330/360/Sherpa aircraft were produced, with nearly one-third still active today. De Havilland Canada plans to reintroduce the Sherpa to customers to gauge market interest in the coming months.