Xian Y-7

The Xian Y‑7 is a Chinese twin‑engine turboprop transport aircraft developed in the 1970s by Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC), a subsidiary of the state‑run Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Based on the Soviet Antonov An‑24, the Y‑7 was produced under license after the two nations signed a technical cooperation agreement in 1969. The first prototype flew on 28 July 1974, and series production began in 1978, eventually delivering more than 400 units to civil airlines, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and several export customers.

Key features include a high‑mounted, all‑metal wing, a spacious 19‑seat cabin that can be reconfigured for cargo, medevac, or parachute operations, and two Ivchenko AI‑24 turboprop engines delivering 2,400 shp each, giving a cruising speed of about 450 km/h and a range of roughly 2,300 km. The Y‑7’s rugged landing gear and short‑field performance allow operation from unpaved strips in remote regions.

Its significance lies in providing China with an indigenous short‑range transport platform, reducing reliance on foreign aircraft, and supporting the expansion of regional air service across the country’s vast interior. The Y‑7 also served as the basis for later developments such as the Y‑8 and Y‑9 heavy transport family.

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation

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Design & Classification