Harbin Y-12


The Harbin Y-12 is a high wing twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group. It is the first Chinese-designed and produced aircraft to receive a type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in March 1995. Around 300 aircraft were delivered by 2023.

Design and development

The Y-12 started as a development of the Harbin Y-11 airframe
called Y-11T in 1980. The design featured numerous improvements including a redesigned wing with a new low drag section, a larger fuselage and bonded rather than riveted construction. It also replaced the radial piston engines with turboprops.
The prototype first flew in 1982, followed by about 30 production Y-12 aircraft before a revised version was produced. This was designated the Y-12, which featured more powerful engines and removal of leading edge slats, first flying on 16 August 1984 and receiving Chinese certification in December of the following year.
China and the US signed a bilateral airworthiness agreement to allow the FAA and General Administration of Civil Aviation of China overseeing the manufacture of US aircraft in China in 1991. Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation and the Civil Aviation Administration of China applied for Part 23 certification of the Y-12 in September 1992. Modifications are made to the Y-12 to meet US requirements, including a larger, reshaped, wing with wing-lets and landing gear reinforced with stronger struts. The power plants are two locally made Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops with Hartzell propellers. The Y-12 has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg with seating for 17 passengers and two crew. The aircraft is operated as a light commuter and transport aircraft. The Y-12 received its type certificate from the FAA in March 1995, a first for an aircraft designed and produced in China. According to an FAA official: the Y-12 programme was a vehicle to demonstrate the CAAC's compatibility with FAR Part 23 and most Chinese CCAR-23 certification procedures for small-category aircraft are recognised by the FAA. In early 1995, it is reported overseas sales totaled 61 aircraft to 13 countries including Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal and Peru.
In 1999, HAMC was reorganised into Hafei Aviation Industry.
The latest development is the Y-12F, which is almost a new design with many improvements: new wings, landing gear, fuselage, more powerful engines, and extended payload and range. The Y-12F made its maiden flight on December 29, 2010, received CAAC type certification on December 10, 2015, FAA type certification on February 22, 2016, and type certification from the EASA on July 13, 2023. In 2015, Kenmore Air announced that they would begin development of floats for the Y-12 for FAA certification. The Y-12 completed the FAA evaluation flight tests for its automatic flight control system on June 30, 2018, with its performance meeting the requirements, said AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Company Ltd.

Variants

Y-12 : Twin-engined STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 500-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 turboprop engines. Seating for 17 passengers and a MTOW of 5,000 kg.Y-12 : Fitted with more powerful 600-hp PT6A-27 engines, received type certificate from UK CAA in 1990, with aircraft operate in Malaysia and Fiji.Y-12 : Planned version to be fitted with WJ-9 turboprop. Evolved to Y-12C because of IV's success when WJ-9 development was completed.Y-12 : Improved version. Revised wingtips and increased max. takeoff weight to 5,700 kg. 18-19 passengers. This version is the first aircraft in the series certified by the FAA in 1995.Y-12C: Basically a version with WJ-9 turboprop, used by PLAAF for aerial survey.Y-12D: Domestically deployed military version with upgraded engines driving four-bladed propellers, used by PLA Airborne Corps for parachute training.Y-12E: Variant with 18 passenger seats. PT6A-135A engines of equal horsepower but increased torque driving four-bladed propellers. This version was certified by the FAA in 2006.Y-12F: The latest development with almost everything redesigned: wider fuselage, new wings, retractable landing gear and more powerful PT6A-65B engines. The Y-12F has higher cruise speed, longer range and can accommodate 19 passengers or 3x LD3 containers. Design started in April 2005 and the maiden flight was on 29 December 2010. CAAC type certification was received on 10 December 2015 and FAA certification on 22 February 2016. The Y-12F passed flight tests for its automatic flight control system by the FAA on 30 June 2018. It was demonstrated during the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow.Y-12G: Proposed cargo version of Y-12F.Turbo Panda: Export name for version, marketed by England and Japanese companies. No real order due to airworthiness certification.Twin Panda: Originally version for export. Later a modified Y-12 powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop engines and fitted with uprated undercarriage, upgraded avionics and interior. Thirty-five orders reportedly are received by 2000 but production did not proceed.

Operators

Military operators

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Government operators

Civil operators

Accidents and incidents