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Y-12 Yunshuji-12 - Variants

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. The Y-12 is a multi-role aircraft that can also serve civilian purposes, like acting as a passenger plane, conducting maritime surveillance for law enforcement units or carrying out aerial surveys. It depends on what kinds of equipment the Y-12 is fitted with

• Y-12 (I) was the initial version (first flight 14 July 1982), with PT6A-11 engines. Some sources report that three prototypes and approximately 30 production examples built. Other Chinese sources report that only two Yun-12Is were produced after the successful first test flight on July 14, 1982. Taking into account the need to maintain the single-engine performance under the condition of keeping the take-off weight of 5,000 kg unchanged, it was renamed the Yun-12II aircraft after the modification. The Y-12I was developed to meet the geological sectors' need of high precision and large scale mineral exploration. Lu Kairen was appointed chief designer. The version was designed in accordance with the standards of internationally accepted airworthiness regulations and a system of Designated Engineering Representative (DER) was used in its development. In addition a great number of tests which had never been carried out before in China were conducted, such as fire-resistant test of the power plant system, climatic test of the fuel system, rain ingestion test of the engine, electromagnetic compatibility test, etc. Three Y-12Is were produced in first batch. The static test was completed in July 1982 and first flight was made on July 14. To test its operational performance, a geological survey flight was made over the Hebei plain in February 1984. Its low altitude flying was steady and its endurance, rate of climb and fuel consumption, etc., were all in conformity with the requirement. The geological prospecting was carried out over the Inner Mongolia plateau in September of the same year. Over 90 per cent survey routes were qualified and the quality of operation was up to the standard. To this point the Y-12I had completed all flight tests and the accumulated flying hours had reached 724. After the Y-12I was jointly certificated by the MAI and the Ministry of Geology and Mining Industry in December of the same year it began to enter into service.
• 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. The Y-12II is a passenger version with 17 seats in the cabin and has two higher rated Canadian PT6A-27 engines. After retrofitting of the interior and the air condition system in Hong Kong from May to August in 1985 cabin noise was reduced, cabin temperature was automatically controlled and fire-retardant materials were used inside the cabin and, therefore, the Y-12II had come up to the standards of international airworthiness regulations. In December of the same year the CAAC awarded Type Certificate to the Y-12II. By May 1993, a total of 52 orders had been signed with foreign investors, and 33 had been delivered. 20 domestic sales. The unit price of the aircraft is $2.5 million (1993). The aircraft is a 17-seat passenger aircraft, and there are other special models, such as VIP aircraft, commuter aircraft, small cargo aircraft, forest protection, aerial survey, maritime patrol, geological exploration, ambulance and parachuting.
• Y-12 (III) was a planned version to be fitted with WJ-9 turboprop. Evolved to Y-12C because of IV's success when WJ-9 development was completed. Yun-12III is a military type and is used for paratrooper training. It is equipped with a turboprop-9 engine. In order to reduce costs, domestic electronic equipment is used. However, it failed to equip the Chinese military in large quantities, and the Y-5B was the main aircraft used for paratrooper training.
• Y-12 (IV) is a light multi-purpose aircraft developed and developed by Hafei Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. It adopts the overall layout of twin engines, upper monoplane, sheared wingtips, single vertical tail, and fixed front three-point landing gear. It is suitable for passenger and cargo transportation, artificial rain enhancement, agriculture and forestry operations, marine monitoring, geological exploration, aerial survey, airdrop, air ambulance, air tourism and other purposes. This improved version has 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 color 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. The Y-12IV is designed, tested and manufactured in accordance with the US Federal Aviation Regulations FAR-23 (including amendments 23-1 to 23-42), and the noise meets the requirements of FAR-36. The Y-12IV obtained the type certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the type certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in July 1994 and March 1995, respectively. The aircraft also obtained a production license issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which is recognized by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 1995. The Y-12IV is easy to use and maneuverable, and can take off and land on the airstrip. It can be used under VFR and IFR during the day and night. Optional wing and tail de-icing devices can be used to fly under icing conditions. The Yun-12IV is actually a 19-seat light multi-purpose aircraft specially improved by Hafei Company in accordance with the US Federal Aviation Regulations FAR23 (including the amendments 23-1 to 23-42). Specializing in export sales, the price is about 2.48 million yuan.
• Y-12C a (IV) version with WJ-9 turboprop, now used by PLAAF for aerial survey.
• Y-12E with 18 passenger seats. PT6A-135A engines of equal horsepower but increased torque driving four-bladed propellers. It is designed and manufactured to adapt to the high temperature and plateau environment on the basis of the Yun-12IV aircraft. After the high-temperature plateau test flight, the Yun-12E aircraft is currently the only light fixed-wing aircraft suitable for the short-distance passenger market and tourism in the mountainous areas of the western plateau, such as Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. It is also suitable for foreign users such as Nepal, Ecuador and other mountainous countries. The Yun-12E aircraft has added an oxygen supply system and luxurious interior decoration, which is suitable for air tours and business flights. Yun-12E obtained the CAAC type certificate on December 31, 2001. The Y-12E is simple to use, maneuverable, and can take off and land on an airstrip. It can be used under VFR and IFR during the day and night. Optional wing and tail de-icing devices can be used to fly under icing conditions. The Yun-12E uses a new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A engine and carries 19 passengers. On December 7, 2000, this model completed its maiden flight from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, a famous domestic scenic spot, Sichuan, which fully proved the Y-12E's high altitude flight capability. When one engine fails, this model can also fly safely on the other. In the event of an accident with both engines, it is still safe to glide and land at the airport. This model also solves the problem of loud noise of previous models, and improves safety and simplifies operation. Airborne equipment added a micro-navigation system, flight recorder ( black box ) and ground proximity warning equipment.
• Y-12F is a new generation of general/regional turboprop aircraft developed by Hafei using advanced technology. Apart from the name, the aircraft has little to do with the early models of the Y-12. The Y12F is a new variant that boasts a redesigned wing as well as a new, more aerodynamic, nose. The Y12E had a fixed landing gear, but the F-model has a retractable landing gear, he says. It still uses Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engines, but a different variant of the engine, giving it more power and speed. For the PLA airborne troops, the Y-12 will be used to replace its older counterpart, the Y-5, and will be used mainly in basic training missions for paratroopers. Through advanced means such as fluid mechanics calculation, the take-off weight of the aircraft has been increased from 7.7 tons of the original model to 8.4 tons, the commercial load has been increased from 2.7 tons to 3 tons, and the maximum speed has been increased from 450 km/h to 482 km/h. The Y-12F is the first in its class to adopt a damage-tolerant structure design. Including the rudder, elevator, and ailerons, composite materials account for 7-10% of the area of the whole aircraft. The main systems of the Y-12F are from Western contractors. The engine is a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65B, with an overhaul interval of 6,000 hours. The cockpit is designed around Honeywell's Apex system, the propeller is provided by Hartzell in the United States, and Hafei is responsible for the landing gear. The Y-12IV is also a model equipped with a PT6A engine. On the basis of a 48% increase in the total weight, the Y-12F’s payload has increased by 51% to 3 tons; the long-range cruising speed has increased by 44% to 375 km/h; the range It has increased by 137%, and can carry 19 passengers for 1540 kilometers; the take-off roll distance has increased from 490 meters to 575 meters, but the requirements for the site have not changed, because the landing distance has remained unchanged at 630 meters; the Yun-12F can Ships 3 LD3 type containers. The Y-12F has internal cantilevered wings. The Y-12 prototype requires external support, and the landing gear can be retracted. The original plan for the first flight of the Y-12F was in August 2008, the domestic certification was obtained in 2009, and the FAA airworthiness certificate was obtained 18 months later. However, due to various problems, the construction of the first prototype of the Yun-12F was not started until June 16, 2009. The aircraft is scheduled to fly for the first time in 2010 and be launched on the market in 2012. In addition to being used as a 19-seat regional passenger aircraft or light cargo aircraft, this model can also be modified for weather monitoring, aerial surveying and aerial photography and military purposes. A Western equivalent of this size is the Spanish-built EASACASAC-212, but the Y-12F has better range and is faster.
• Y-12G dedicated cargo aircraft with side cargo door and windowless cabin accommodating three LD3 standard containers.
• Turbo Panda - Export name for Y-12(II), marketed by England and Japanese companies. No orders due to airworthness certification issues.
• 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.