TYPE: Twin-turboprop commuter transport (300) and freighter (300F).
PROGRAMME: Details released 10 July 1980; first flight of prototype (G-ROOM) 1 June 1981 (PT6A-45 engines); PT6A-65Rs subsequently fitted; CAA certification 3 September 1982; FAA certification to FAR Pt 25 and Pt 36 early November 1982; first flight of production aircraft 19 August 1982; launch customer of 360-300F Rheinland Air Service of Dusseldorf, Germany (two delivered from March 1989).
VARIANTS: 360: Initial production version with PT6A-65Rs.
360 Advanced: Production version from November 1985; 1,062 kW (1,424 shp) PT6A-65ARs.
360-300: Current production version; six-blade synchrophasing propellers; cambered wing lift struts; low-drag engine nacelle exhaust stubs; lightweight seats; PT6A-67R engines giving increased max cruising speed and improved weight/altitude/temperature limits, offering better hot and high performance, improved en route climb and allowing higher max T-O weight. Optional Category II autopilot; wet sink toilet facility; supplementary ground air-conditioning system; protective liners for freighting.
360-300F: Freighter adaptation of 360-300; up to 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) load; optional enlarged port forward cargo door enabling loading of five LD3-size containers; optional roller conveyor with pallet locks, directional transfer mat, side guidance rails, and forward cargo restraint barrier.
CUSTOMERS: 360 entered commercial service with Suburban Airlines of Pennsylvania 1 December 1982; first 360-300 to Philippine Airlines 18 March 1987; first 360-300 certificated for 39 passengers operated by Capital Airlines in UK from October l987; by January 1991 over 160 Shorts 360s were in service worldwide.
DESIGN FEATURES: Stretched (0.91 m; 3 ft fuselage plug ahead of wings) development of 330, specifically for short haul airline operations over about 120 nm (222 km, 138 mile) average stage lengths; six extra passengers; strengthened outer wing panels and bracing struts; tapered rear fuselage with increased baggage capacity; drag-reducing single fin/rudder tail unit; more powerful, fuel efficient engines 360-300F particularly suited to overnight parcel services.
FLYING CONTROLS: Single fin/rudder; constant chord tailplane; elevators and rudder with trim tabs.
STRUCTURE: Similar to 330-200 but lengthened fuselage, tapering for new all-metal two-spar tail unit; strengthened outer wing panels struts; heavy duty floor panels for freighting.
LANDING GEAR: Similar to Shorts 330-200, but of Dowty design with Dunlop tyres. Mainwheel tyres size 37 x 11.75-16, pressure 5.38 bars (78 lb/sq in). Maxaret anti-skid units standard. Nosewheel steerable ±55°.
POWER PLANT: Two 1,062 kW (1,424 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprops, each driving a Hartzell advanced technology six-blade constant-speed fully feathering propeller. New engine nacelles with low-drag exhaust stubs on Series 300. Fuel capacity 2,182 litres (576 US gallons; 480 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two on flight deck, plus cabin attendant. Dual controls standard. Main cabin accommodation similar to Shorts 330-200, but seating 36 passengers in 12 rows of three (optionally, 39 passengers). Standard ground and in-fiight air-conditioning. Large overhead baggage lockers. Baggage compartments in nose and to rear of cabin, each with external access, giving equivalent of almost 0.17 m³ (6 cu ft) of baggage space per passenger (0.20 m³; 7.2 cu ft per passenger if locker space is included). Self-contained passenger stairs.
SYSTEMS: Generally as for Shorts 330-200 except for electrical system, which has Lear Siegler 28V 300A DC starter/generators and three 400VA single-phase static inverters for AC power. Full de-icing and anti-icing systems standard.
AVIONICS: From Collins Pro Line II range, including dual FDS-65 flight director systems, dual VHF-21A com, dual VIR-32 VHF nav, dual DME-42, dual TDR-90 transponders, dual RMI-36, ADF-60A, dual MCS-65 magnetic compasses, and WXR-220 colour weather radar, plus Sundstrand Mk II GPWS, Honeywell YG7500 radar altimeter, Fairchild A100A voice recorder and GEC-Plessey PV1584G data recorder. Options include Collins HF-230HF com, APS-65 Cat II autopilot and second ADF.