CASA C-212 Aviocar
The CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium cargo aircraft designed and built by Spanish aircraft manufacturer Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA. It is designed for use by both civil and military operators.
The C-212 was developed during the 1960s in response to the Spanish Air Force's need to replace much of its transport aircraft fleet; it was designed to perform numerous missions, including air medical services, paratrooper transport, and utility roles. Three years after its maiden flight on 26 March 1971, an order was secured from the Spanish Air Force. Several other customers emerged, initially from the military sector; but interest from civilian airliners also led CASA to develop a dedicated civil version of the C-212. Production of the type at the Seville facility would continue for 40 years, with 485 aircraft produced there.
Indonesia emerged as a key early customer for the C-212. In 1975, Indonesian aircraft company IPTN successfully secured the rights to license-produce the aircraft in Bandung, Indonesia. CASA assisted in the establishment of a production line there; by 2000, it had constructed 95 NC212s. The majority of Indonesian-built aircraft were sold to domestic customers, although some exports were also recorded in the Asian market. In February 2013, it was announced that Airbus had agreed on terms with Indonesian Aerospace/IAe to fully transfer production of the C-212 to Indonesia. For a time, IAe produced both the NC212-200 and -400 upgrade. In 2014, IAe stopped producing the -400 series to focus on the improved NC212i model.
By December 2012, there were 92 operators of the C-212 around the world. These operators included numerous charter and short-haul aviation companies, as well as various national air services, which commonly used it for transport, surveillance, and search and rescue. The C-212 has been popular among skydivers and smokejumpers due to a rear ramp arrangement that is uncommon amongst its competitors. In particular, Australian airline Skytraders has used a number of C-212s to support Australian scientific research teams across Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Development
During the late 1960s, the Spanish Air Force operated a number of outdated piston-engine transports, including the three-engine Junkers Ju 52 and two-engine Douglas C-47. Seeking to fulfil the service's transport modernisation needs, Spanish aircraft manufacturer Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA developed a proposed aircraft, designated C-212. It was a twin-engine 18-seat transport aircraft capable of performing a variety of military roles, including passenger transport, air medical services, and paratrooper roles, while also being suitable for use by civil operators. On 26 March 1971, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight. In 1974, the Spanish Air Force decided to purchase the C-212, which had acquired the name Aviocar, in order to update its fleet.Several airlines expressed interest in the C-212, particularly in light of its success with military operators; CASA thus decided to pursue development of a dedicated commercial version. In July 1975, the first examples of the civilian version were delivered. In 1997, the improved -400 model was introduced, featuring a glass cockpit and more powerful Honeywell TPE331 engines. In August 2006, a total of 30 CASA-built C-212s of all variants reportedly remained in airline service with various operators around the world.
In July 2010, Airbus Military CEO Domingo Urena-Raso stated that the company could no longer afford to produce the C-212 in Europe. Production of the type at Airbus' Seville facility progressively slowed to only four aircraft in two years. In December 2012, the final Spanish-assembled C-212 was delivered to its customer, the Vietnam Coast Guard. By the time the line shut down, it had produced 477 aircraft for 92 operators.
Indonesian production
In 1975, Indonesian aircraft company IPTN successfully negotiated terms with CASA to produce up to 108 C-212s under license in Indonesia. Accordingly, IPTN and Nurtanio took part in the manufacture of the aircraft, with assembly taking place at IPTN's facility in Bandung, Indonesia. CASA provided technical assistance to set up the production line, sending a delegation of technicians to Bandung to train local personnel. The relative simplicity of the C-212's design was credited with aiding the process.Under the license terms, IPTN was permitted to sell the aircraft throughout the Asian market. But the majority of Indonesian-made NC212s were sold to domestic customers; by 1986, only six aircraft had reportedly been exported. By 2000, a total of 95 NC212s had been produced, though the type's production had become a secondary priority to other ventures such as the larger CASA/IPTN CN-235. IPTN also undertook development of more advanced versions of the aircraft. Between 2004 and 2008, all of the jigs and fixtures necessary to produce the NC212-400 were supplied by Airbus and installed at Bandung, enabling Indonesia to become the single-source manufacturer of this model. The licensing agreement was extended in 2006.
In July 2011, Airbus announced a strategic agreement to collaborate with Indonesian Aerospace/IAe on the C-212. Under the agreement, Airbus undertook an 18-month first phase of support to IAe, after which it was to provide IAe increasing high-value industrial activity, including C-212 upgrades and production transference. In February 2013, their arrangement was formally extended to transfer production of the C-212 to Indonesia. For a time, IAe produced both the NC212-200 and -400 upgrade, which were equipped with new digital avionics, autopilot, and a redesigned cabin that could accommodate up to 28 passengers. In 2014, IAe stopped producing the -400 series to focus on the improved NC212i model.
Design
The CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL-capable cargo aircraft. Its basic configuration includes a high-mounted wing, box-like fuselage, and conventional tail. The C-212 has been designed to operate in austere environments for extended periods without ground support apparatus. Features such as STOL performance and rugged landing gear fitted with low-pressure tyres enables it to operate from unpaved fields and under hot-and-high conditions. For greater simplicity, the aircraft's tricycle undercarriage is non-retractable.The C-212 cabin has a maximum occupancy of 21 to 28 passengers. In a paratroop configuration, up to 24 paratroopers along with one jumpmaster can be accommodated on foldable sidewall seats, while in a mixed configuration, it can transport up to ten soldiers and a single vehicle. Since the C-212 does not have a pressurized fuselage, it is limited to relatively low-flight-level airline use, and is thus suited for short legs and regional airline services.
Operational history
By 2013, 290 C-212s were reported to be flying in 40 countries; Indonesia had the most of the type, operating 70. It has seen especially wide employment as a commuter airliner and a military aircraft, with operators including numerous charter and short-haul aviation companies, as well as several national air forces. The C-212 is commonly used in transport, surveillance, and search and rescue roles.The C-212 has also been used by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, where it operates under the designation C-41A and is commonly used for troop infiltration and exfiltration, supply drops, and airborne operations. In August 2010, Airbus Military received a contract for the sustainment and modernisation of five C-212-200s operated by the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command. Additional aircraft were both owned and operated by private military contractor Blackwater; these were active during both the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan, typically to conduct supply drops to US ground forces in remote areas there. During the conflict, the planes were piloted by former pilots from the 160th "Night Stalkers" Special Operations Regiment.
One particularly ambitious use of the C-212 was undertaken by Australian airline Skytraders, which has used its fleet to support Australia’s scientific research assets across Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Various operators have elected to operate their aircraft out of inhospitable terrain, such as desert and jungles. The C-212's uncommon rear ramp arrangement is a unique selling point amongst competitors, and it has been a popular aircraft for skydivers and smokejumpers.
Variants
100 Series
;C-212A: Original military production version. Also known as C-212-5, C-212-5 series 100M, and by the Spanish Air Force as the T-12B and D-3A, 129 built.;C-212AV: VIP transport version, T-12C.
;C-212B: Six pre-production C-212As converted for photo-reconnaissance missions, TR-12A.
;C-212C: Original civil version.
;C-212D: Two pre-production C-212As converted for use as navigational trainers, TE-12B.
;NC212-100: Manufactured under licence in Indonesia since 1976. IPTN produced 28 NC212-100s before switching to NC212-200s.
200 Series
Stretched version with updated engines (Honeywell TPE331-10R-511C or −512C, rated at each, introduced in 1979. The CASA C-212-200 is also a popular skydiving aircraft, known for its large capacity, fast climbing, and large tailgate exit ramp.;C-212 series 200M: Military version known as T-12D in the Spanish service and Tp 89 for the Swedish Air Force. Specialised ASW and maritime patrol aircraft have been built from this version.
;NC212-200: C-212-200 built under licence by IPTN.
;NC212-200 MPA : C-212-200 built under licence by IPTN, designed as a Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
300 Series
Standard production version from 1987 on. Engines were Honeywell TPE331-10R-513C, also rated at continuous, maximum. The propellers were changed from four-bladed Hartzell composite blade propellers to four-bladed Dowty-Rotol all-metal propellers. Winglets and a larger vertical stabilizer area provided improved performance, and the addition of a nose baggage compartment gave the nose a more streamlined look than the 200 series. Various systems were incrementally upgraded, including the addition of an integrated autopilot system.;C-212-M series 300 : Military version.
;C-212 series 300 airliner: 26 seat regional airliner.
;C-212 series 300 utility: 23 seat civil utility version.
;C-212 series 300P: Civil utility version with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65 engines.