AVIC, the Chinese company that manufactures these aircraft is currently in the phase of training of staff, said Xu Bo, vice-president of AVIC International.
Faced with the controversy surrounding the production in Cameroon by the Chinese company AVIC International Holding, two aircraft on behalf of the national airline Camair-Co, the Chinese company has invited Cameroonian journalists on the aircraft manufacturing site, Yan Liang in China, in the Xi'an Aircraft Industry.
Cameroon National daily newspaper, which visits the site, published a record of three pages, about the manufacturing of these planes. In an interview published in this issue, the vice president of AVIC International, Xu-Bo promises that both MA-60 aircraft expected by Camair-Co "could arrive in Cameroon before the end of 2014 year.
" The manufacture of an aircraft of this type normally takes a year, explained AVIC Vice President, but we must also take into account staff training, technical visits, etc...
About training, just three captains and four co-pilots from Cameroon are in a refresher course level in Xi'An. The two MA 60 will enrich flying in Camair-Co which has now essentially a Boeing 767-300.
We remember that the interest for these aircraft had been raised during the visit of Paul Biya in China in July 2011.
The Cameroon Head of State was on board the MA 60 to visit the city of Tanjin and was fascinated by the properties of this advanced device and low power consumption (600 kg of fuel per hour against 2.5 tons of fuel for aircraft of the same type). Three aircraft were then ordered by Cameroon.
The Chinese government subsequently decided to offer one for free for the 40 years bilateral cooperation between both countries.
The aircraft was delivered in November 2012. This first MA-60 was then presented by the Cameroonian authorities in the army that has been using it for many missions.
The repatriation of many Cameroonians living in Central was made using the aircraft which totals to date 500 takeoffs and 740 flight hours.
"Communication Problems"
Cameroonian press conveyed by reports, outbid the Chinese side on the two MA 60 purchased by the crisis between Cameroon and the country's authorities and leaders of AVIC.
Xu Bo, it was "miscommunication" set with the efforts of both parties. The cost of the two aircraft, he said, was a package.
"It is not only the aircraft. We also provide staff training, a large amount of spare parts including engine reserves that is very expensive. We will also send a team of experts who will work with Camair-Co, "he continues.
"We are ready to accompany Camair-Co for regular maintenance and technical visits," said vice president of AVIC International in Cameroon Tribune columns.
Nevertheless considers that Avic projects for Cameroon in particular through the creation of a civil aviation school, the renovation of existing airport facilities and airports.
"The ambition of AVIC is to be the number three in the market, after Airbus and Boeing," reveals Xu-Bo who says in passing that the new airport in Nairobi, Kenya is the work of the Chinese society.
