Chinese aviation manufacturer AVIC has expanded into the seaplane market, placing an order for 100 sets of floats to convert 19-seat Harbin Y-12s into amphibious transports, says a US supplier.
Seattle-based Kenmore Air announced that AVIC is acquiring the floats for the Y-12 from EDO Floats, a subsidiary of the US company.
The two-year conversion programme includes a plan to certificate the seaplane capability with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Chinese civil aviation authority (CAAC).
EDO designed the floats for the Y-12 with carbonfibre material, saysKenmore Air, the largest seaplane operator in the USA.
The deal also creates a new competitive threat for the DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and its recent reincarnation by Viking Aircraft as the Twin Otter Viking 400.
If the aircraft receives FAA certification, it allows AVIC to market the aircraft beyond China. AVIC also plans to grow seaplane activity within China, growing from the South Eastern coastal areas to the Pearl River DeltaRegion and Yun Nan province, according to Kenmore Air.
From July 20 to 26, AURA AERO will take part in EAA AirVenture 2026 in Oshkosh, world’s largest aviation gathering, exhibiting in front of the International Aerobatic Club Pavilio...
BAA Training France has become the first aviation training center worldwide to operate an Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator, certified to the new Airbus Standard 2.2.1 and declared ready for training....
General Atomics AeroTec Systems will showcase the brand-new Do228 NXT Demonstrator aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow (July 20–24, 2026) in Great Britain, marking the aircraft'...
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines intend to deepen their collaboration by establishing a joint venture dedicated to the development and commercialisation of a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine. This...
