Aerotécnica AC-12

AC-12

Role	Light helicopter
National origin	Spain
Manufacturer	Aerotécnica
Designer	Jean Cantinieau
First flight	20 July 1956
Primary user	Spanish Air Force
Number built	12

The Aerotécnica AC-12 Pepo was a Spanish two-seat light helicopter of the 1950s.

Design and development

Aerotécnica AC-12 was designed by Jean Cantinieau and like other Cantinieau designs featured a distinctive "spine" above the fuselage pod that carried the engine ahead of the rotor assembly. Development costs were borne by the Spanish government, and the first of two prototypes took to the air on 20 July 1954.^[1]

Operational history

Twelve (two prototypes and 10 production) were ordered for the Spanish Air Force where they served for three years under the designation EC-XZ-2.

Operators

Spain

Spanish Air Force

Specifications

Aerotécnica AC-12 outline

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 7.55 m (24 ft 9 in)
Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in)
Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
Gross weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 820 kg (1,808 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-B2A air-cooled flat-four, 125 kW (168 hp)
Main rotor diameter: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
Main rotor area: 56.75 m² (610.9 sq ft)

Performance

Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
Cruising speed: 115 km/h (71 mph; 62 kn)
Range: 230 km (143 mi; 124 nmi) (normal range)
Ferry range: 450 km (280 mi; 243 nmi) (with auxiliary tanks)
Endurance: 2 hours
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
Rate of climb: 5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)

Gallery

Cockpit detail
Rotor and top detail

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aerotécnica AC-12.

Notes

↑ Apostolo 1984, p. 40.
↑ Taylor 1961, p. 127.

Bibliography

Apostolo, Giorgio. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books, 1984. ISBN 978-0-517-43935-7.
Jane, Fred Thomas. Jane's Fighting Craft: Janes's Encyclopedia of Aviation, 5 Vols. in One. London: Gramercy Books, 1989. ISBN 978-0-517-69186-1.
Simpson, Rod W. Airlife's Helicopters & Rotorcraft. London: Airlife Pub Limited, 1998. ISBN 978-1-85310-968-3.
Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961.

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