China-developed civil aircraft makes first road show in US

A Y-12F aircraft is on display at the Zhuhai Airshow, Guangdong province, on Nov 14, 2012. [Photo/VCG]

BEIJING -- A Y-12F aircraft became the first China-developed plane to be presented at a road show in the United States, its developer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said Thursday.

It indicates a breakthrough in the promotion of a China-developed plane in the United States with the presence of the real plane for the first time, according to AVIC.

The Y-12F, manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Industry Co Ltd of AVIC, was on a two-day road show at an executive airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from March 21 to 22.

The Y-12F is a new regional turboprop aircraft, and the third in the Y-12 series.

The model was certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in 2015, and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February 2016.

An FAA certification means an aircraft has met high industry standards, paving the way for it to be commercially available globally.

According to AVIC, some US aviation insiders and potential customers have expressed an interest in purchasing the plane.

Its inclusion in the US show highlights the progress of China's booming aviation industry and expanded the international influence of its high-end products, said AVIC.

The Y-12F has an economic cruising speed of 400 km per hour and a longest cruising range of 2,255 km. Its maximum take-off weight is 8.4 tonnes.

The aircraft can be used for delivery services and as a commercial plane thanks to its capacity.

Besides passenger and cargo transportation, the Y-12F can also be used to support maritime monitoring, aerial delivery, aerial photography, geological exploration, medical rescue and artificial precipitation.