Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing will deliver its first Y-12(IV) Twin Panda turboprop airframe to the Canadian Aerospace Group (CAG) in August for final completion and supplementary type certification, before delivery to a US customer in March 1999.
CAG says it has secured the first order for two Y-12s from an unidentified private operator in Alaska. Before the first is delivered, the company is hoping that the US Federal Aviation Administration will re-certify the aircraft with the more powerful 559kW (750shp)-rated Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-34 turboprop.
Part 23 approval covers only the derated 462kW PT6-27-powered Y-12. "Fitted with the -34 engine, this aircraft will be close to, if not better than, the performance of the de Havilland DHC6-300 Twin Otter," says CAG Panda Aircraft international sales vice-president Edmond Shaw.
The Y-12 is being marketed worldwide primarily as a potential replacement for the estimated 700 Twin Otters still in service, under an agreement with Harbin. The manufacturer says the aircraft is capable of rough field short take-off performance and there are plans to fit and certify the 19-seat Y-12 with composite floats.
Harbin says about 65% of the Y-12's content will be sourced and installed in Canada, including the engines, avionics, wheels, brakes, batteries and cabin interior.
Source: Flight International
