HARBIN Aircraft Manufacturing (HAMC) of China is planning further modifications to the Y-12 IV turboprop, following the aircraft's type certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft received FAR Part 23 approval in late March, in a move which HAMC hopes will boost sales in the US (Flight International, 12-18 April). It needs further modification for US airline service, however.
HAMC plans to fit the Y-12 with a traffic-alert and collision-avoidance system (TCAS 1), which is mandatory on all ten- to 30-seat passenger aircraft from the end of 1995.
Voice and digital flight-data recorders, neither of which are now installed on the 19-seat aircraft, are also needed. Other planned enhancements include a ground-proximity warning system.
It is unclear whether the aircraft will be offered with an autopilot, as originally intended. Work to fit and certificate the Y-12 with the Rockwell-Collins APS-65 system has been stalled for several years by the need for flight-control modifications.
HAMC is expected to despatch a team of Y-12 engineers to the USA to June to evaluate and select suitable systems.
Source: Flight International
