Y-11 / Y-12
Twin-engined utility aircraft designed and developed in China as a potential replacement for the Y-5 (Chinese-built An-2). Design of the Type 11 Transport Aircraft, or Yunshuji 11 (Y-11) began during the mid 1970s as a replacement for the Antonov An-2 utility biplane in Chinese service (licence built in China as the Y-5). A prototype was built and flown at Shenyang on 30 December 1975, while pre series and production aircraft were built at what is now the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Company. Construction of a small preproduction series of about 15 aircraft began in 1977 and these were used in top-dressing and pest control operations in 1977-78. Production Y-11s were built from 1980.
Crew of two on flight deck, with separate forward-opening door on port side for access. Dual controls. Cabin accommodates seven passengers normally (with removable folding jump seat for an eighth passenger), or equivalent cargo. Cargo/passenger double door on port side of fuselage, in line with wing trailing-edge.
The Y-11 is now used primarily in agricultural, forestry and geophysical survey applications. Other possible applications include short-haul and aeromedical transportation, fishery protection, firefighting and flying training. Features include two radial engines, capability for rough field operations and STOL performance. Y-11s have seen service as commuter airliners and have also been configured and used for ag spraying.
The Y-11B is an improved development powered by Teledyne Continental engines to overcome single engine altitude performance shortfalls. The first Y-11B's maiden flight was on December 25 1990.
Y-12 Yunshuji-12 (Transport aircraft 12)
Y-12, produced by the China Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC), is a light multipurpose aircraft with fixed wing and twin propeller engines. It has excellent short taking-off and landing performance with low-level requirement for runway, and is also easily maintained and endurable. The Y-12 is a turboprop powered development and has been built in greater numbers than the Y-11. Work on a turboprop powered Y-11 began in the early 1980s, and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A powered and enlarged cabin Y-12 prototype (previously the Y-11T) flew for the first time on August 16 1984. Current production is of the Y-12-II, while the further improved Y-12-IV was granted US certification in March 1995.
The Y-12 has obtained airworthiness certificates in a dozen countries including China, the U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. From 1993 through 2001, China had exported 24 Y-12 aircraft to six African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritania and Eritrea. As of 2001 China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) had received orders for 128 such aircraft from 18 countries including the Sudan, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Cuba and Bolivia.
Y-12 could be configured differently to meet various requirements from users and be used for such purposes as for passenger or cargo transportation, parachute jumping, seed or insecticide spreading, aerial photography, emergency rescue, maritime surveillance, among others.
- Y-12 (I) was the initial version (first flight 14 July 1982), with PT6A-11 engines; three prototypes and approximately 30 production examples built.
- Y-12 (II) is the major production version; higher-rated engines, no leading-edge slats and smaller ventral fin. Certified by CAAC 25 December 1985 and UK CAA (BCAR Section K) 20 June 1990. Detailed description applies to Y-12 (II) except where indicated.
- Y-12 (IV) is an improved version with sweptback wingtips; modifications to control surface actuation, main gear and brakes; redesigned seating for 18 to 19 passengers; starboard side rear baggage door; maximum payload and maximum T-O weight increased. Further changes include Rockwell Collins or Honeywell com/nav for both VFR and IFR, plus optional colour weather radar, GPS, Omega navigation, wing and tail de-icing, and oxygen system. Domestic certification received 3 July 1994 and FAR Pt 23 approval on 26 March 1995; Indonesian certification 16 November 2000. Sichuan Airlines order for 20 (7 November 2000) assumed to be of this version.
- Twin Panda was an abortive 1998-99 attempt for version of Y-12 (IV) to be completed and marketed by Canadian Aerospace Group. Canadian Aerospace Group (CAG) and its Panda Aircraft Company subsidiary offers a developed Y-12 as the Twin Panda, which it aims at the twin Otter replacement market.
