TYPE: Twin-turboprop airliner.
PROGRAMME: Model of MA60 as proposed Y7-200A (PW127 turboprop) variant first shown at Asian Aerospace, Singapore, February 2000. First flight (prototype B-995L) reportedly 12 March 2000; CAAC type certificate issued 22 June 2000; revenue service began August 2000; public debut (Airshow China) November 2000; production certificate issued 12 December 2000.
Designation indicates Modern Ark, 60 (high density) seats. To replace earlier Y-7 variants, which from 2001 no longer meet amended Chinese airworthiness requirements. XAC production capacity 12 to 15 a year; domestic operators will lease from central leasing agency SFLC, which will be responsible for sole-source marketing (first arrangement of this kind in China).
CURRENT VERSIONS: MA60: Initial production passenger version; as described. Current life-cycle of 25,000 landings and 30,000 flight hours.
MA60-100: Improvements planned for introduction in 2002 included reduction in empty weight by about 400 kg (882 lb); increase in 'hot-and-high' MTOW of about 900 kg (1,984 lb); increase in OEI ceiling; 162 n mile (300 km; 186 mile) increase in range; airframe drag reduction; Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade.
MA60H-500: Updated MA60 equivalent of former Y7H, with rear-loading ramp/door inherited from An-26. Fully pressurised cargo compartment, with electric winch and hydraulic conveyor; cargo door can be retracted under belly to permit direct loading from truck or ground. Available from 2004. Demonstrator bears CFTE serial number 073.
MA60-MPA (Fearless Albatross): Projected maritime patrol version (previously Y7-200BF); nose-mounted search radar; raked wingtips; auxiliary fuel tanks scabbed to fuselage sides to extend range to estimated 1,350 n miles (2,500 km; 1,553 miles); four underwing stations for air-to-air and anti-ship missiles. Shown as model at Airshow China, November 2000.
MA40: Shortened (40-passenger) version; under consideration in 2002.
CUSTOMERS: Sole-source domestic marketing by newly formed Shenzhen Finance Leasing Corporation which, on 7 November 2000, signed contract for delivery of 60 MA60s over five-year period. Launch operator Sichuan Airlines (five ordered, plus five on option) introduced first leased example (B-3426) into revenue service August 2000. Other reported orders by March 2003 from Changan Airlines (two), China Northern (five), Wuhan Airlines (three) and Lao Aviation (three). Of these 18, six said to be in airline operation at that time. Most of first 60 expected to be of improved MA60-100 standard.
COSTS: Approximately US$11 million (2002).
DESIGN FEATURES: Further upgrade of Y-7 series, mainly through Western engines and avionics and improved passenger comfort; incorporates best features of earlier Y7-200A and B programmes. Airframe life 40,000 hours, 25,000 cycles or 25 years.
Non-swept high-mounted wings, with 2° 12' 12" anhedral on tapered outer panels; basically circular-section fuselage; sweptback fin and rudder; 9° dihedral on tailplane; twin ventral strakes under tailcone. Wing sweepback 6° 50' at quarter-chord of outer panels; incidence 3°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional mechanical. Mass-balanced, servo-compensated ailerons with electrically actuated trim tabs; tab in each elevator; electric trim/servo tab in rudder. Hydraulically actuated single-slotted (inboard) and double-slotted (outboard) trailing-edge flaps; landing deflection 30°.
STRUCTURE: Conventional light alloy; two-spar wing, with spot-welded skins; bonded/welded semi-monocoque fuselage.
LANDING GEAR: Retractable tricycle type with twin wheels on all units. Hydraulic actuation, with emergency gravity extension. Multidisc carbon brakes on mainwheels; hydraulically steerable (±45°) and castoring nosewheel unit.
POWER PLANT: Two 2,051 kW (2,750 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J (PW127G in cargo version) turboprops, each driving a Hamilton Sundstrand 247F-3 four-blade, composites, fully-reversible 'scimitar' propeller. Fuel in integral wing tanks immediately outboard of nacelles, and bag-type tanks in centre-section, total usable capacity 5,200 litres (1,374 US gallons; 1,144 Imp gallons). Provision for additional tanks in centre-section. Optional pressure refuelling point in starboard engine nacelle; gravity fuelling point above each tank.
ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two on flight deck, plus one or two cabin attendants. Standard layout has four-abreast seating, with centre aisle, for 56 or 60 (with forward wardrobe removed) passengers at 76 cm (30 in) pitch in air conditioned, soundproofed and pressurised cabin. Galley and lavatory at rear on starboard side. Wardrobes forward and aft of passenger cabin, plus overhead stowage bins in cabin. Passenger airstair door on port side at rear of cabin; emergency exit opposite. Freight door forward, starboard. All doors open inward.
SYSTEMS: Honeywell GTCP36-150CY APU.
AVIONICS: Comms: Bendix/King dual KTR 908 VHF, single KHF 950 HF and KXP 756 ATC transponder; Hamilton Sundstrand AV 557C CVR; Becker 3100 audio system; Chinese FJ-30A FDR.
Radar: Rockwell Collins WXR-350 weather radar; Honeywell CAS-67A collision avoidance system.
Flight: Dual VTR-32 VOR/ILS, dual ADF-60A, DME-42 and ALT-55B low-altitude radio altimeter (all Rockwell Collins); Universal UNS-1M nav system; Sfena H321AKM1 standby horizon.
Instrumentation: EFIS-85 (B14), ADS-85 air data system, APS-85 autopilot and dual AHS-85 attitude and heading systems (all Rockwell Collins); Hamilton Sundstrand Mk II GPWS.
ARMAMENT (MA60-MPA): Six external stores stations: two on ruselage sides, each for 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) load; two inboard (each 1,500 kg; 3,307 lb) and two outboard (each 500 kg; 1,102 lb) under wings. Fuselage stations can each support two torpedoes, a 1,000 kg bomb, sonobuoy container or gun pod. Inboard wing stations suitable for drop fuel tank, anti-shipping missile or AAM. Outer wing stations able to carry single torpedo, 500 kg bomb, searchlight, gun pod or additional AAM.