The distinctive Skyvan is a practical workhorse in a class of its own.
A ROBUST, MULTI-PURPOSE MACHINE
Microsoft Flight Simulator today introduced Local Legend 16: the SC.7 Skyvan aircraft, which has earned a legendary reputation as the first choice for the world’s toughest airlift missions. Affectionately referred to by some as the “flying shoebox,” the aircraft has a long and storied history of transporting people and cargo to and from short, barren runways around the world. It was conceived, designed, and built to carry the largest possible loads in the most demanding environments. Its boxy fuselage optimizes cargo stowage, while its large rear cargo hatch and integrated ramp enable fast, efficient loading and unloading. Its high aspect ratio main wing and powerful turboprop engines give it exceptional short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. Its robust three-point landing gear allows it to operate on all types of airfields, including grass, gravel, and improvised runways.
Born from a practical point of view
Short Brothers of Belfast, Ireland, began development of the Skyvan in the 1950s to create an aircraft that would prove extremely practical for the greatest possible number of users. They carefully analyzed several cargo and STOL aircraft designs in service at the time and concluded that the basic design would be a lasting highlight: it combined a spacious, rectangular fuselage with a high-performance wing and powerful engines. The tail assembly consists of a single horizontal stabilizer and two vertical stabilizers, one at each end of the horizontal stabilizer. The main wing is strut-braced and houses two engines, one on each side.
The Skyvan prototype, powered by piston engines, made its maiden flight on January 17, 1963. Short Brothers then equipped the prototype with turboprop engines and flew it for the first time with the new engines in October 1963. By 1986, the company had manufactured a total of 149 aircraft (in several variants) and produced a total of 149 units.
GLOBAL USE
Over many decades, operators around the world have used the Skyvan for a variety of purposes, including passenger services, general cargo, special cargo, geotechnical applications, skydiving, aerial photography, air rescue, search and rescue, and oilfield support. Notable missions include operations from high-altitude airstrips in Nepal, exploring the interior of Indonesia, and transporting an antenna for an Apollo mission (from New Jersey to Cape Kennedy in Florida, not to the moon). Militaries from nearly two dozen countries have even used the Skyvan for logistical support, and some of the aircraft are still in service today.
With one or two crew members, the Skyvan can carry up to 19 passengers, 2,320 kg of cargo, or a combination thereof. The SC.7 is 12.25 m long, 4.65 m high, and has a 19.55 m wingspan. It is powered by two Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-2-201A turboprop engines, each producing up to 715 hp, each driving a Hartzell three-blade variable-pitch propeller. The Skyvan has a range of 1,121 km, a service ceiling of 6,000 m above sea level, and a climb rate of 599 m per minute. It takes 488 m to take off and can land at an altitude of 567 m. Its cruise speed is 288 km/h, stall speed is 111 km/h, and maximum speed is 323 km/h.
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES FOR ADVENTURE
The Skyvan has been expertly recreated in Microsoft Flight Simulator for Simmers to enjoy anywhere in the world’s digital twin. Try landing on a remote beach in New Zealand, taking to the skies from a mountainside in Alaska or Borneo, or even exploring the Sahara Desert.
The Short SC.7 Skyvan is available in sixteen paint schemes including: Airliner – White, Military – Green, Military – Green Camouflage, Military – Grey, Skydive – White, Skydive – Clownfish, Skydive – Pink, Surveyor – White and Surveyor – Red.
Endless opportunities for adventure and discovery await in the Skyvan, available now for $14.99 in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The sky is calling!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox.
Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, visit @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly Twitter).
Table of Contents
