Shorts 360

[Timeless159]

Could a Shorts 360 work as a jump plane? I'm a captain on a Shorts 360 for a cargo 135 operator and I've always wondered if it would be feasible to use the airplane as a jump plane on the weekend when we aren't hauling cargo.

The plane has a payload of about 10400 lbs
It burns about 1300 lbs/hr in the climb
It would take about 15-20 minutes to get to 14,000 if it was fully loaded
It isn't weight restricted until runways start getting shorter than about 5500 feet (unless it is really hot)
It could probably drop jumpers at about 95 kts

Jumping out of the big cargo door up front wouldn't be an option due to the large 6 bladed prop spinning nearby, but the two aft doors (one on each side) would probably work pretty well. The doors would have to be removed or modified for that to work.

Any Ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated. This looks like a great forum.

[Administrator]

Air Cargo Carriers?

I don't think the 360 would be good as you would have to exit from both sides.  The reason to get a bigger plane is to get more people in the air.  But a lot of skydiving these days are two by two.  Groups are small.  A twin otter can have a really stretched out jump run if you have 23 jumpers going two by two.  A 360 would be even more stretched out or require a second pass.  Then where is your advantage?  So if the DZ has a lot of bigways then a bigger plane works so you don't have a lot of multi-plane loads which are ineffecient.  But getting bigger than the size of a twin otter you'll want a tailgate exit not two side doors.  Got any 330 Shirpas?

Another disadvantage is the need for two pilots per plane.  The Casa 212 requires it and they make it work.  But I'm not sure how much need there is for more two pilot planes in the skydiving world.

And I don't know many DZs that are on 5,500 foot or more runways.  I thought Skydive Chicagos was long at 4,500.

With all that said don't listen to me.  If you think you can get the right deal at the right DZ then I say go for it.  Just spend a lot of time figuring your W&B for exits and different size groups.  Two side doors would be interesting.

[Timeless159]

I have worked for Air Cargo Carriers, but I'm not there any more. Now I work for a company with two 360-300s. As for Sherpas there are a couple different kinds. The only Sherpas in civilian hands right now are the C-23A. I don't think the ramp on the C-23A can be opened in flight. It isn't even powered by the hydraulic system and it requires a manual pump to bring it back up. The C-23B and C-23C Sherpas have a different door so I think it can be opened in flight

Crap Sherpa (22,900 MGTOW lame door)
http://www.skywayent.com/images/SH330-Sherpa_02.jpg

Good Sherpa (about 26,500 MGTOW better door)
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/c-23-p0000317-s.jpg

The army's replacement for the C-23B and C-23C, the C-27 Spartan, will be coming on line later this year or early next year so the good Sherpas may be auctioned off at some point.

Thanks your input. Your points about the Shorts 360's weaknesses as a jump plane seem valid. I just needed to resolve a question that had been floating around in my head for a while. If my company ever gets the good Sherpa's I'll look into it again. You could dump a-lot of people out the back of that thing.

[Mark Lamberson]

About 18 years ago a Shorts 360 was on the cover of Trade-A-Plane dropping jumpers. The owner had just finished doing the tailgate door mod, and had taken it to the local D.Z. and gave free jumps for the photo op.

He later sold the airplane.

Don't have a clue what the door mod costs.

Mark

[Doc Crump]

We Jumped a C-23 Sherpa just the other week. Right off the ramp.
You have to be careful not to hit your head on the way out.
About twenty or so jumpers one right after the other jumping MC-6 parachutes and
headed for Ft. Benning below.