Aerotécnica AC-12

The Aerotécnica AC-12 Pepo is a Spanish two-seat light helicopter manufactured in 1956 by Aerotécnica.

AC-12
General information
Type	Light helicopter
National origin	Spain
Manufacturer	Aerotécnica
Designer	Jean Cantinieau
Primary user	Spanish Air Force
Number built	12
History
First flight	20 July 1956

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.

Operational history

Twelve (including two prototypes) 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

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)
• Cruise speed: 115 km/h (71 mph, 62 kn)
• Range: 230 km (140 mi, 120 nmi) (normal range)
• Ferry range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi) (with auxiliary tanks)
• Endurance: 2 hours
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)

Gallery

• 
  Cockpit detail
• 
  Rotor and top detail
• 

See also

Related development

• AC-11
• AC-13
• AC-14

References

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.