The C-212 Aviocar light transport aircraft turns 55

March 26 marked the 55th anniversary of the C-212 Aviocar light transport aircraft. On that day in 1971, its first prototype took to the skies. The aircraft was developed by the Spanish company Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A. (CASA; since 1999, EADS-CASA; currently, its military aviation division is part of the Airbus Military group).

The C-212 was designed with the intention of offering it to many countries in need of a light military transport aircraft (MTA) capable of operating in remote areas from unpaved runways. Given its primary purpose, the aircraft was equipped with a large rear cargo door and ramp. It became the smallest ramp-equipped TLA in the world. The designers paid particular attention to reliability and ease of maintenance, notably equipping the “Aviokar” with a fixed landing gear.

In 1974, full-scale production of the C-212 began at the CASA aircraft plant in Seville, in southern Spain. The aircraft was gradually improved, resulting in four main variants and numerous modifications, including specialized versions such as maritime patrol aircraft.

The production C-212-400 is equipped with two TPE331-10R-513C turboprop engines, each with a power output of 900 hp. The aircraft is 16.15 m long, has a wingspan of 20.28 m, a maximum takeoff weight of 8,000 kg, can carry 25 paratroopers or 2,800 kg of cargo, reaches a maximum speed of 370 km/h, and with an additional fuel reserve, it can cover nearly 2,700 km.

A total of 485 C-212s were built in Seville. More than 125 additional licensed aircraft were produced at a facility in Bandung, on the island of Java, by the Indonesian company Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio, which was reorganized into PT Dirgantara Indonesia in 2000. It continues to build the latest version, the NC212i, at a modest pace.

The Spanish Air Force was the first to receive the C-212 and continues to operate aircraft from this family to this day. In total, various versions of the “Aviokar” have been purchased by military and civilian operators in over 40 countries, including: Australia, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Indonesia, Colombia, South Africa, Portugal, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, France, Chile, and Sweden.

Most C-212s went to the military. For example, in the United States, the aircraft was designated C-41A and became particularly popular with units of the Special Operations Command. The unpretentious “Aviokar” will remain in service for many years to come.