Harbin Y-12F (Image: China aviation daily)

Aviation Industries Corporation of China (AVIC) Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Company Ltd (HAIG) has delivered two Y-12Es turboprop aircraft to the Air Vigilance Service of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security.

It marked the first time the HAIG’s products entered the Costa Rican market. After the delivery, the two aircraft will serve as domestic transportation and air patrol units within Costa Rica, between the mainland and islands, and within islands, the company said in a statement.

A Costa Rican acceptance team accompanied by AVIC staff visited HAIG to accept the two Y-12-Es on September 26. They inspected and accepted the logbooks, attached documents, aircraft appearance, and aircraft power-on operations, and also conducted an on-site test flight. As planned, the two aircraft were accepted after an October 9 ferry flight.

The Harbin Y-12F, advanced turboprop utility aircraft received a type certificate by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in February this year.

The Y-12F is the third aircraft in the Y-12 series to obtain FAA certification, following the Y-12IV and Y-12E.

On December 10, 2015, the Y-12F was awarded type certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and was granted the FAA certification on Feb. 22, 2016. It is the first time a Chinese plane got certification from the CAAC and FAA in the same time.

Y-12F has a lifting capacity is about 1,800 kilograms (almost 4,000 pounds), and its maximum speed is about 280 miles per hour.

The Y-12F can accommodate 19 passengers or three LD3 cargo containers. It is designed for various uses in such roles as passenger transport, maritime surveillance, supplies airdrop, aerial telemetry and photography, geological prospecting, and medical aid and rescue.