Short SC-7 Skyvan Engine Start-Up and Takeoff

[@NoelBarlau]

"Don't crash in a trailer park, it'll take weeks for them to find you." "Is that the box the Metroliner came in?" I can tell these jokes because I used to fly the Shorts 330/360 at Air Cargo Carriers out of MKE. They also had a couple of Skyvans. Whenever I thought I was flying an ugly airplane, I could always look at the Skyvan guys and feel slightly better about my situation. They fly great, by the way. 170 knot cruise speed is nothing to brag about, but we were always faster than the Mountain Air Cessna Caravans. And the old Shorty absolutely won't stall. The big slab of the fuselage keeps it from doing so. Pull the power back to idle, wait for the stick shaker, and it just sort of gets mushy and loses altitude without any dramatic breaks or rolls. Great airplanes. Glad I got to fly them. ACC gave me my first "real pilot job" and for that I'll forever be grateful to them.

[@davidtaylor351]

What a "funny little fella." And such a purposeful burst of speed in taking off! Love it!

[@TheHDAviation]

I love the unique design of the Skyvan. Thanks for watching!

[@alangordon3283]

The Ford Transit of the sky

[@michijimc9753]

Really enjoyed flying on the commercial version of this airframe. Into and out of really small airports and a lot of headroom. Great job of designing and building an aircraft that wasn’t a dinky tube with wings stuck on it.

[@TheHDAviation]

I do love the look of this unique design. Bet they are different to fly on!

[@trevor9934]

My father worked for Short Bros in avionics - working on the Tiger Cat and Sea Cat missiles, the Short Sc1 VTOL and the Sky Van. Considering it was built in the 50's and is still in use by both civil and military operators, it has shown its value as a load-carrying STOL aircraft, designed for easy adaptation.

[@hugostiglitz6914]

A perfect example of an aircraft that is exactly the shape it should be for its purpose!

[@fredtedstedman]

I personally like it - if you want to see ugly , look at the "stretched versions " and you don't have to worry if you've shut the back door , or retracted the undercart....................Wales UK.

[@fernandopimentel2259]

@@fredtedstedman áaaaaaaaáaaáaaaaaaaaaaaaaáááaaaá

[@fredtedstedman]

@@fernandopimentel2259 aaaaa !

[@edostuff]

The flying box :) Amazing footage :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much!

[@CaptainScarlet67]

I used to play top trumps as a kid in the 70's, this was one of the aircraft that always fascinated me.

[@albundy5228]

Just proves, with powerful enough engines, anything can fly!

[@BoyzeGames]

For real man

[@alansimpson596]

In a recent video on the Skyvan I commented that I live about two mile from where these were built by Shorts in Belfast. They buzzed over my house regularly. The sound of the engines in this upload are nostalgic for me as in their heyday I could hear them frantically buzzing on take off. The Skyvan was later developed into passenger versions namely the SD33 and SD36 which respectively carried 33 and 36 passengers. Shorts have a long and disinguished connection with the British Royal Air Force. In the 1960s they built 10 Belfast freighters for the RAF which were the largest cargo aircraft in the world at that time. In the late 1970s the RAF sold them off to a commercial cargo carrier named Heavylift. Most of their work was carrying heavy mining equipmment down through Africa. When the Falklands war unexpectedly broke out in the late nineteen eighties the RAF found itself without a heavy cargo plane and somewhat embarrassingly had to lease back the Belfast freighters at great expense. They are now obsolete as each one had to be cannabalised to keep the next one flying.

[@TheHDAviation]

That must have been really interesting living near the airport where they were manufactured, would have been great to get to see them flying around regularly. Interesting to hear about the history of some of them as well, thanks very much for sharing!

[@127cmore]

1982 was the Falklands

[@ronnieince4568]

They are the highest volume build of any post war British commercial aircraft with 496 built -even exceeds the Vickers Viscount numbers .

[@ronnieince4568]

@Gary Cody If you inckde the various variants of the basic aircraft -passenger , freighter etc the total is 496 of fundamentally the same aircraft design

[@ronnieince4568]

@Gary Cody Aircraft Manufacturing in Northern Ireland - 1909 to the present -page 95 -figures in respect of best selling UK commercial aircraft since 1945 -Viscount 444 , BAE 146 /Avro 394 , BAE 748 382 , BAC 111 244, Short Skyvan /330 /360 family a total of 496.

[@ronnieince4568]

This aircraft was designed to be the equivalent of the Ford Transit van You don't buy Transit for its looks but it superbly designed for its purpose by dimply building a van around an 8 x 4 sheet of building plywood -exactly what builders want -and they have sold 5 million Transits This aircraft superbly serves the need for a small short take off and landing freighter -that was why it sold so well world wide -absolutely perfectly for for purpose piece of kit .

[@eugeneoreilly9356]

BN islander 1200 made.

[@Philip-cj2ss]

I remember Henson aviation used these planes too fly from Salisbury MD. Too BWI in Baltimore t proved too be a very reliable and safe aircraft thank you for the video brings back good memories

[@Philip-cj2ss]

If I remember I think it held about 30 passengers then fed ex started using these aircraft replacing a very old Pratt and Whitney tail dragger

[@TheHDAviation]

That’s really neat, I would have loved the opportunity to fly on one of these unique turboprops. Thanks for watching!

[@ritzbitz11]

The paint on those props is COOL!!!!

[@TheHDAviation]

I really like the look of them, kind of mesmerizing!

[@az_pit_viper4270]

Imagine staring at them while on an acid trip? 😂😂😂

[@davidbaker352]

Described by a Sky Van pilot as... “Like flying a two storey house from an upstairs bedroom window!” A classic case of “practical before pretty”

[@TheHDAviation]

Haha love it!

[@caribbaviator7058]

Grew up seeing that plane over my house in South American.Was used a lot for military parachute displays and low flybys.Only one left in our country.The rest had crashed.Before I watched it actually had low flybys,that's so cool!!!!

[@TheHDAviation]

They are pretty cool planes to see. Love their boxy design!

[@samalverio3157]

Nice aircraft I have many jumps out of the back door..lots of fun.you can get a dozen guys out real quick.love it

[@TheHDAviation]

They do look like the prefect design for jumping. Love their unique design.

[@steves5172]

Spent many hours in one, an unpretentious plane designed to do a job which it did brilliantly!

simple to fly too

[@memez_r_dreamz2256]

Skyvan is definitely the right name for this aircraft.

[@TheHDAviation]

Indeed :-)

[@ronnieince4568]

It was originally referred to as "a garden shed with wings " or a "flying Ford Transit "

[@hughwalker684]

These were used in the Bush of Western Alaska from the mid 60s to 70s. Rode in one many times during and after my Boarding School years. Windy days made for some bouncy rides.

[@TheHDAviation]

Very cool, that must have been interesting commuting in these unique turboprops. I bet they would get blown around pretty good with that square design.

[@baggieshorts1406]

Just love the sound change at 5.28 when pilot opens throttles. Pure music..... 😀😀

[@TheHDAviation]

I totally agree!

[@Howrider65]

The flying shoe box has some good speed for sure.

[@TheHDAviation]

I love the Skyvan, one unique aircraft.

[@richardharris2494]

Nice... seems stable and simple. Be a good fit for island hopping in Caribbean

[@TheHDAviation]

It does seem like a stable aircraft indeed. I know a few airlines in the Caribbean used to use the Skyvan's bigger brother, the Short 360, but I'm not sure if any are still in operation in the area.

[@lesleybarclay3085]

Built by Shorts In Belfast. Used for short civilian hops in the UK for many years, safe and reliable, but not ver comfy, it was called the Vomit Comet. Due to board one in Glasgow to fly Belfast, I was rushing down the ramp to board, it was a stormy day and there was my ride, completely upside down on the tarmac!!. Didn’t get home to Belfast that day.

[@NYCPlanespotting]

These boxy planes are interesting, really great shot as always bud!

[@rong1924]

Can’t. Stop. Staring. At. Those. Props...

[@NorgesSpottingchannel]

What a unique aircraft the Skyvan is! Beautiful video mate!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@ymmlspottingteam]

Wow, she sounds incredible! Fantastic footage mate! Absolutely love it!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much! It is a good sounding aircraft indeed :-)

[@gilbertfranklin1537]

Okay, I get it... made by Lego, powered by flower petals, and definitely failed the wind tunnel test. Yet, with enough runway, it lifts off and makes it into the air - then with luck, it returns and sets down nice and easy. Yep, it's a winner!

[@scottmajor2620]

I loved that he just taxiied over the grass. Who needs a centerline or pavement, we're a flying box! :-)

[@TheHDAviation]

Ya, that was neat to see them taxi right up into the grass. Must be a fun aircraft to fly!

[@ShipsYouShouldKnow]

Fantastic footage of this Skyvan! A big thumbs up from me!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks so much!

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Great footage of this, well, "unique" aircraft is one way of describing it. Liked!

[@TheHDAviation]

Haha thanks, it's definitely a strange aircraft to see!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Looks like a very useful design. I hadn't seen one before.

[@TheHDAviation]

Definitely a unique design, love the look of it.

[@AH-qk6ki]

I used to work on this type of aircrafts i loved it

[@TheHDAviation]

Nice, bet they were an interesting type to work with. I love the unique design.

[@stitch0o0]

It was so hypnotic looking at the black and white stripes on the propellers as it started.

[@TheHDAviation]

They really are quite mesmerizing!

[@timothygomez835]

Those props look super trippy when it first starts up

[@josefsstationrc6064]

Timothy Gomez it’s got what we called “checker” effect

[@TheHDAviation]

Love the look of them!

[@TravellerYT]

What a unique aircraft and so nicely filmed and edited! We had to watch this vid twice as this aircraft is so amazing. Thanks for this really good watch THDA! Have a lovely weekend. Best regards from maxi and Maro :-D

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! I was so happy to get to film this unique aircraft.

[@gman2013]

Love the prop paint!

[@TheHDAviation]

Looks pretty cool on the startup!

[@rshvkkt91]

Was this aircraft type featured in Narcos Mexico? The scene where Felix Gallardo and Amado Carrillo Fuentes fly that dangerous mission to Nicaragua?

[@az_pit_viper4270]

I have always said that the prettiest aircraft aren't always the coolest ☺☺

[@TheHDAviation]

So true!

[@jerryumfress9030]

Beautiful plane, sounds like a large RC

[@TheHDAviation]

It is a pretty cool design, love the look of the unique Skyvan.

[@HugoSwissSpottingHD]

The funniest best strangely coolest looking prop around! How on earth does that fly, still a mystery! Very nice camera work as always! Liked for sure and have a nice evening

[@johnkelinske1449]

The aircraft has excellent flying characteristics and very rugged and reliable. It was designed to be simple and to carry as much cargo as possible into and out of primitive airstrips on limited power- it does all this quite well.

[@whetedge]

John Kelinske It sure looks like it was well designed for those functions. Cool plane. Is there a door for the rear, or are all models open regardless of use? Is the flight deck walled off for temperature control?

[@johnkelinske1449]

There are doors in the tail, I can't recall at the immediate moment if they are retractable or detach (ala C-119) but they are there. Have to check on the flight deck bit, but I think it is open to the cargo space.

[@whetedge]

Thanks. If there _is_ an operable tail door, a walled off flight deck probably unnecessary.

[@TheHDAviation]

It really is a strange and unique aircraft indeed, I was so happy to get to film it. Thanks very much!

[@solstar4778]

Looks comfortable and I bet you can stand up all the way in it without bumping your head.🤠

[@Trevor_Austin]

sol star - Stand up? You need a ladder to change a light bulb in the roof.

[@TheHDAviation]

Bet they are pretty roomy, would love to fly in one some day.

[@simeon2851]

Looks just about as graceful as a matchbox with turbines will ever get..

[@TheHDAviation]

So true!

[@ranajungbahadur7733]

I have flown in one of these.........does get the job done !

[@TheHDAviation]

Nice, I'd love to fly on one some day. Pretty cool plane!

[@ChuksSpotting]

A unique catch mate! Lovely camera work as always! Liked a lot! :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much!

[@Exige000]

Designed and built in Belfast - Best of British!

[@eariamjh71]

My father used to build these at S&H during the 60's.

[@boataxe4605]

Ya orange bastard.

[@igorbarros8233]

Aeronave estranha, porem eficiente ! Parabéns pelo vídeo

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@BAVBavarianAviationVideonews]

Amazing video!! Thumbs up ;)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@donaldhill2972]

I would like to name her as "Box Yard Beauty."

[@JohnDoe-jq5wy]

I flew in a skytrain, great aircraft; they were skydiving from the platform

[@ابووائلالجوفي]

*اللهم اجرني من موت الغفلة ولا تأخذني من الدنيا الا وانت راض عني🖤🌱*

[@PacificEdibleSeaweed]

That's one heck of an airframe

[@TheHDAviation]

Definitely a unique design!

[@JerichoYeet]

It looks like a school bus with small engines and wings. Cool.

[@TheHDAviation]

Haha it does!

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound.

[@collin6238]

If a shed could fly it would look like this .. the shorts skyvan a great machine

[@TheHDAviation]

Love them as well, one unique aircraft.

[@TheArtsObserver]

An air traffic controller told me one day that their nickname for this plane is "The Irish Concorde".

[@TheHDAviation]

I love it 😃

[@collin6238]

not funny

[@cpocketts]

Perfect! I was really hoping you would catch a start up of one of these. Thank you very much for posting, very nice video!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much! I was really happy to get a shot of the start up, it made my day :-)

[@DjsAviation]

Stunning video mate!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@NCF8710]

It seems like a bumblebee was the designer's inspiration for this aircraft.

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

Cracking footage of this Skyvan ...Loved it....Cheers....Steve.

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks Steve!

[@oveidasinclair982]

My dad flew in something like this plane in Puerto Rico back in the late 80's, he called them white knuckle airlines, American Eagle was the carrier. He hated flying in that thing, a real good friend of his and his family life was saved by their dog and his dog carrier. They were suppose to take a flight from San Juan to Myaguezse but they had to leave the dog behind for the next scheduled flight, too much baggage on that flight and the carrier wouldn't fit. If they would have left the dog in San Juan int airport they never would have seen him again, so they all got off the flight and rented a car. That flight they were booked on crashed on approach killing all onboard, that dog lived a charmed life for the rest of his days. I believe they were flying Casa's, I could be wrong, but it looks just like that Short SC-7

[@hugejohnson5011]

June 7, 1992. American Eagle flight 5456. As you correctly stated, a CASA C-212. All five souls on board perished. And, you have a good eye, as the CASA aeroplane is very similar in shape and layout to the Shorts. Thank you for sharing an interesting story. It sounds as if maybe God worked through the dog to save those people no?

[@RVNspotting]

Awesome video! Love the variety of turboprops you have in BC!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much! We do get quite a nice variety of turboprop aircraft around BC.

[@georgesheptak5657]

Wow, a flying motor home in disguise. Goes like a bat out of hell

[@aviationvideosgraz]

Wow, your views are raising immediately. The very unique Skyvan, you love or you hate the look. I think it´s a great aircraft.

[@TheHDAviation]

Yes, the two Skyvan videos I got received a ton of views, which was a great surprise! I think it's a great aircraft too. Thanks for watching!

[@jerrymunsch1349]

We had these at Zweibrucken Air Base Germany. They were used to fly jet parts around USAFE. Kinda boxy huh 🤔

[@TheHDAviation]

Very boxy indeed. I do like the unique design!

[@Housephonestimes4]

Waspy entertainment. Love it!

[@mylosairplanefan]

Such a weird looking plane! Awesome footage mate. Good to see that many views on this video! :D

[@TheHDAviation]

It is a strange one indeed. Thanks for watching!

[@CBGSpotter]

Smart capture mate! Love that prop sound :)!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks Elliot!

[@MrZlodeus]

My goodnizz, those TPE331 engines do take long to spool up. A full minute from start to idle!

[@steves2694]

But the acceleration during the takeoff roll was impressive.

[@BadenAirTraffic]

Cool Video of this interesting plane! Thumbs Up and subscribed. Greetings from Germany

[@bridgetown45]

Travelled in one on a wintry night into Richmond Va Airport.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

I miss flying jumpers. Ah, the obligatory high speed buzz job, too!

[@WayneStcroix]

This plane can be use as a cargo plan as well right

[@YQBspotting]

Fantastic shots! Liked a lot :-D Well done!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks a lot!

[@thewatcher5271]

I Always Liked That Plane & Don't Know Why. The Way The Propellers Are Painted Is Certainly An Eye-Catcher, Huh?

[@KMorozou]

So cool! 😊

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@JelmersAviation]

Awesome video mate!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@RossAviationWorld]

Definitely an interesting looking aircraft! Excellent video :)

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much!

[@cortezcortez5177]

The fuselage is more of a wing than the wings.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Gliders have similar wings, long, but short fore-aft, for lift/drag ratio. Not an accident here, eh? A little surprised here, at downwind takeoff. Not the landing, though.

[@johnkelinske1449]

They were designed to get into and out of airstrips that aren't worthy of the name, at full load and under the worst conditions. It is a flying UPS/Fed-Ex truck- when it absolutely, positively has to get in there, this like the Pilatus Turbo Porter, is what you use If a helicopter won't suffice.

[@SKBenergy]

wow u caught a short....well a variant of it super nice :) !!!!

[@johnkelinske1449]

Short Bros of Belfast that is!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, I was really happy to get this one!

[@maxibrtta1582]

When u mix one Truck and put wings the result Is this hahaha,Nice one airplane tropper dude... Interesting paint on the turbinsprop

[@samanli-tw3id]

MCB SPOTTER More like a helicopter whose rotor is replaced by wings.

[@morganecroissant8392]

Weird-looking plane but awesome video!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks Morgane!

[@conormacnessa7723]

I used to maintain these. They're called boxcar willie after the northern Irish and William of Orange.

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice aircraft!Great job😎👍!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks very much!

[@tarlach1280x960]

Love these plane fit form and

[@robertgary3561]

Imagine their embarrassment when they were told they forgot to take it out of the box.

[@danblumel]

The fuselage is shaped like a wing and contributes significantly to the lift.

[@spottertech8896]

Great filmed footage of this very...hmm...strange flight-object!!! Nicely done mate!!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks, this aircraft was interesting to see.

[@DilvaCh]

Woow..goog luck guys

[@AnastasisGarametsis]

Great video!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@niiloraappana]

Good video man!

[@TheHDAviation]

Thanks!

[@EdWhisenantAviation]

I love these little dudes, I never see them in my area, they have one at Skydive Perris in California but I have never been lucky enough to see it Fly, I've called before but always Top Secret LOL

[@TheHDAviation]

I love them as well, such a unique design. Was a great surprise to see this one at this little airshow, the schedule said there would be a C-130 but they were using the Skyvan instead.

[@EdWhisenantAviation]

C-130 would have been nice, but this RARE little guy will bring more views to your channel. Take care :)

[@TheHDAviation]

This is true, both videos I have taken of the Skyvan have done really well. Definitely a nice surprise :-)

[@seanboi8600]

Ed Whisenant they always use the SC-7 they use it more than the twin otter now they always fly over my house for skydive perris

[@DezRosswess]

I'm still baffled as to how that flies, and then that low pass!

[@TheHDAviation]

It really is a strange design, I quite like it. I definitely wasn't expecting the low pass haha.

[@GLICKMIRE]

Was wondering about the high ground speed and long takeoff run - then I looked at the windsock. Downwind takeoff.

[@philshifley4731]

My first commercial flight was on a version of this aircraft. Seemed strange even back then.

[@TheHDAviation]

Nice, that must have been a fun aircraft to fly on!

[@mgoblue0970]

A Shorts flyby... hilarious!

[@TheHDAviation]

Definitely not something I was expecting to see haha.

[@Okay-kt1bh]

I remember this plane. That plane was in Rio movie, isn't it?

[@granskare]

an airline that had operated at the local airport had these A nice airplane

[@SKBenergy]

i have a lot of them on my channel from the Caribbean :) !!!!

[@TheHDAviation]

Nice, that must have been interesting to see them flying around regularly.

[@vovak5264]

Этот забавный самолëт напомнил мне Антоновские разработки : Ан-14, Ан-28, Ан-38. Этот дом с крыльями значительно крупнее.

[@gustavmuller4186]

Das ist der Beweis das ein Kasten fliegen kann

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

What is the top speed? 70 knots? (This is what a shipping container envisions when it has dreams of flying.)

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Hey, the Snowbirds are there!