Harbin Y-11

The Harbin Y‑11 is a twin‑engine, high‑wing utility aircraft developed in the early 1970s by the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) of China. Its origins trace back to the Soviet An‑24, but the Y‑11 was engineered for short‑range transport, agricultural work, and surveillance in rugged regional environments. First flown on 15 June 1975, the type entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and civilian operators, where its robust steel tube fuselage, reinforced landing gear and fixed tricycle undercarriage allowed operations from unpaved strips and alpine meadows. Powered by two 350‑horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A‑27 turboprops, the Y‑11 delivers a maximum cruise speed of 260 km/h, a range of 900 km and a payload capacity of up to 1,200 kg, accommodating up to ten passengers or cargo. Its simple avionics suite, corrosion‑resistant alloy skin, and low operating costs made it popular for aerial photography, forestry patrol, and medical evacuation across China’s remote provinces. The Y‑11’s versatile design helped expand domestic air transport capabilities during a period of rapid economic growth, and it served as the foundation for later Chinese light transport developments such as the Y‑12 series.

Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification