Short Skyvan Sc7

Twin Turboprop· 32 globally registered

The Short SC-7 Skyvan is a boxy, high-wing utility transport that looks like a flying shoebox, and that's exactly what makes it brilliant. Built by Short Brothers in Belfast from 1963 through 1986, the Skyvan was designed around a simple philosophy: maximize cargo volume, minimize complexity, and make it rugged enough to operate from unprepared strips. Its square-section fuselage and rear loading ramp allow straight-in loading of bulky freight, Land Rovers, or up to 19 passengers on bench seats, while twin Garrett TPE331 turboprops deliver reliable STOL performance. The type earned a reputation in remote regions with island hoppers in the Caribbean, bush operators in Africa, and military air forces needing a no-frills tactical transport. Today the Skyvan has found a second career as a skydiving platform, prized for its wide rear door, slow climb speed, and ability to cycle jumpers quickly. The boxy fuselage that once hauled cargo now makes an ideal jump ship, and operators appreciate the type's low operating costs and forgiving handling. With a service ceiling around 22,000 feet and a cruise speed of 175 knots, it's not fast, but it's honest: a workhorse that does exactly what it was built to do. The Skyvan's unmistakable silhouette (flat sides, upswept tail, fixed tricycle gear) remains a common sight at drop zones and remote airstrips worldwide. SkyMeter has tracked 91 flights across 11 airframes and 8 operators, with ALASKAN AIR CHARTER LLC the largest observed operator.