KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Ending
months of uncertainty, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is finally
bringing the 17-seater Harbin Y12e aircraft from China on Monday. Though
China Aviation Industry Corporation formally handed over the Y12e in
July, NAC could not bring the plane as the manufacturer said it was
unable to supply an English-speaking instructor pilot along with the
plane.
The twin engine turbo
prop utility plane is provided by China to Nepal on grant as per an
agreement to provide six aircraft on grant and concessional loan. The
Harbin Y12e is part of the loan and grant agreement worth Rs 6.67
billion for the procurement of six aircraft -- two MA 60s and four
19-seater Harbin Y-12e. The MA 60 provided on grant has already been
delivered and is flying in different domestic routes.
“Though late, we are
happy that the aircraft is finally arriving. The plane is scheduled to
land at 5:10 pm at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA),” said a
high ranking official at NAC, adding that they had tried their best to
bring the aircraft before Dashain but failed.
According to the
official, the Chinese team along with instructor pilot is arriving in
the aircraft. “Once the aircraft arrives, we will soon begin the
procedure to obtain Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil
Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
NAC is planning to begin
commercial operation through Harbin Y12e within the next 10 days if the
test flights go well. The aircraft will be flying to the remote areas of
western region.
The aircraft had already received the call sign 9N-AKS from CAAN. NAC has named the aircraft Koili.
Earlier China had sent an
instructor pilot but as he could not speak and understand English, he
was sent back so the plane delivery was delayed.
An NAC official requesting anonymity said, “We are hopeful there will be no hassles in documentation this time.”
NAC management decided
not to bring the aircraft without an English speaking instructor pilot
as the aircraft without an instructer cannot be flown. As the NAC pilots
do not have training to fly Chinese aircraft, Nepal had to depend on
China for instructor pilot. Harbin Y12e is a new type of aircraft for
Nepal.
- Source: http://www.myrepublica.com
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