Cninese name: Yunshuji-5 (Transport aircraft 5)
TYPE: Utility biplane.
PROGRAMME: Antonov An-2 has been built under licence in China since 1957, chiefly at Nanchang (727 produced up to 1968) and latterly by SAIC; production of Y-5N civil transport and general purpose version ended in 1986, at which time 221 had been completed. Y-5B dedicated agricultural and forestry version made first flight 2 June 1989; now in batch production; first nine Y-5Bs produced in 1990; total of 112 Y-5B/Cs produced by end of 2000 (latest total received). SAIC now only source of continuing production of this aircraft.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Y-5B: Dedicated agricultural and forestry version; certified to CCAR 23 Chinese equivalent of FAR Pt23.
Following description applies to Y-5B, except where indicated.
Y5B-100: Designation of version displayed at Zhuhai in November 1998, fitted with wing 'tipsails' of the Y-5C and registered B-8448.
Y-5B(K): Tourist version, first flown 1993; certified to CCAR 23.
Y-5B(D): Multipurpose (agri-forest or tourist) version, first flown 1995; certified to CCAR 23.
Y-5C: Parachutist version, with wingtip vanes ('tipsails'); first flown 1996. Ordered by PLA Air Force.
DESIGN FEATURES: Unequal span, single-bay biplane; strut-braced wings (single I strut each side) and tail; fuselage circular section forward, rectangular in cabin section, oval in tail section; fin integral with rear fuselage. RPS wing section, thickness/chord ratio 14 per cent (constant); dihedral, both wings, approximately 2° 48'.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Differential ailerons, plus elevators and rudder, actuated by cables and push/pull rods; electric trim tab in port aileron, rudder and port elevator; full-span automatic leading-edge slots on upper wings; electrically actuated slotted trailing-edge flaps on both wings. Wingtip vanes on some variants (see Current Versions) for additional control at low speeds.
STRUCTURE: All-metal, with fabric covering on wings aft of main spar and on tailplane. Y-5B specially treated to resist corrosion; cabin doors sealed against chemical ingress; empty weight reduced.
LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable split axle type, with long-stroke oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers. Mainwheel tyres size 800x260, pressure 2.25 bar (33 lb/sq in). Pneumatic shoe brakes on main units. Fully castoring and self-centring tailwheel, size 470x210, with electropneumatic lock. For rough field operation, shock-absorbers can be charged from compressed air cylinder in rear fuselage. Interchangeable ski landing gear optional.
POWER PLANT: One 735 kW (985 hp) SAEC (Zhuzhou) HS5 nine-cylinder radial engine, driving a Baoding J12B-G15 four-blade variable-pitch propeller. Fuel capacity 1,240 litres (328 US gallons; 273 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Flight crew of one or two; dual controls; seats for 12 tourist class passengers (Y-5B(K)) or 10 parachutists (Y-5C). Emergency exit on starboard side at rear. Cabin heating and ventilation improved by new ECS.
AVIONICS: Comms: Honeywell KHF 950 HF and KY 196 VHF radios and KMA 24 audio control panel; some electrical and other instrument installations also improved.
Flight: GPS 155.
EQUIPMENT: Large hopper/tank with emergency jettison of contents; high flow rate, wind-driven pump; sprayers with various nozzle sizes, depending upon spray volume required.