LAHORE, April 12: The Civil Aviation Authority has granted certificate of airworthiness to the Mushshak aircraft for civil flying in the country. The certified Mushshak aircraft will be called AP-PAC.

This was announced by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) president Mohsin M. Syed while addressing a news conference at Walton Airport on Friday. He claimed that it took one-and-a-half year to get civil certification for the aircraft.

Deputy DG CAA Air Vice-Marshal Sethi will formally present the airworthiness certificate to Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), Kamra, managing director Air Commodore Syed Sohail Sadiq at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day first general aviation air show of Pakistan at the Walton Airport on Saturday (today).

Air Commodore Sadiq said the aircraft would be on display at the Walton airport and available for sale to corporate sector and flying enthusiasts. He claimed that a Mushshak aircraft could be purchased for around $150,000, while the ultralight and kit aircraft would be available for $15,000 to $40,000.

Giving details about the two-day air show being jointly organized by AOPA and the Ultralight and Sports Flying Club (USFC), Mr Mohsin said some 30 two to six seater single and twine engine aircraft like Cessna, Pipers, ultralight recreational aircraft, home-built sports aircraft and crop dusters fletcher planes would take part in the show.

He said all flying clubs and general aviation organizations in the country would participate and perform aero modelling, flying display, aerobatics by Mushshak aircraft and joy rides.

Mr Mohsin said the air show aimed at enhancing quality of general aviation by bringing in serious players into the aviation business. The show also aimed to encourage businessmen to buy their personal aircraft to increase business activity, job opportunities for pilots, aeronautical engineers and technicians.

He said the USFC would also arrange seminars to advise businessmen and flying enthusiasts about procedures to buy sports, kit and Mushshak aircraft by lease financing. He said the Lahore Flying Club had also developed a cost-effective system for the businessmen and enthusiasts to keep the aircraft. Now, he said, the owners would be required pay only when they would fly. “This will reduce the cost from Rs50,000 per month to Rs4,000.

AMF MD Sadiq said the Mushshak was being completely manufactured locally except the engines. He said that all spares and technical skill was available in the country.