TYPE: Five-seat lightplane

PROGRAMME: Revealed at Airshow China in November 1998. Prototype originally targeted to fly in 2000; built and rolled out at NAMC plant, Nanchang, in third quarter of 2000 and exhibited at Airshow China in November 2000, but still not reported to have flown by early 2003. FAR Pt 23 certification is intended.

CUSTOMERS: Initial order from Yuanda Air Conditioning Company.

COSTS: Estimated US$350,000 (2001).

DESIGN FEATURES: General appearance similar to that of Piper and Socata types in same weight/performance category. Constant-chord, low-mounted wings with upturned tips; sweptback vertical tail and small underfin.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual; flaps fitted. One-piece horn-balanced elevator: ground-adjustable tab on rudder.

STRUCTURE: All-metal main structure: some non-load-bearing components manufactured from composites.

LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type: single wheel on each unit.

POWER PLANT: One 194 kW (260 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-540 flat-six engine, driving a three-blade propeller.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and co-pilot or passenger in front, with two rearward-facing seats behind and a forward-facing single seat aft of these. Crew door each side of cockpit, plus passenger door aft of wing on port side.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span: 10.20 m (33 ft 5½ in)
  • Length overall: 8.14 m (26 ft 8½ in)
  • Fuselage max width: 1.20 m (3 ft 11¼ in)
  • Height overall: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
  • Wheel track: 2.80 m (9 ft 2¼ in)
  • Wheelbase: 2.18 m (7 ft 1¾ in)
  • Propeller diameter: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Max baggage weight: 65 kg (143 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: 1,540 kg (3.395 lb)
  • Max power loading: 7.95 kg/kW (13.06 lb/hp)

PERFORMANCE (estimated):

  • Max level speed: 135 kt (250 km/h; 155 mph)
  • Stalling speed: 60 kt (110 km/h; 69 mph)
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
  • Range: 432 n miles (800 km; 497 miles)
  • Endurance: 4 h