Mexican Officials: "There Is A Demand For Precisely This Type Of Machine"

Handing over the certificate to Kamov's President and General Designer Sergey Mikheev, Pedro Cerisola y Weber, Mexican Communications and Transport Minister, said: "I thank you for opening doors to Mexico for Ka-32. I do trust that this helicopter will help build Mexico as a country with competitive economy."

Indeed, Mexican aviation authorities have done everything to reduce the lengthy burocratic procedures and met with understanding Russia's request to expand the helicopter's mission range, according to Viktor Priymak, representative of Russia's Aviation Register.

"Mexican Type Certificate, along with the previously acquired Canadian one, is a tremendous step forward in opening American markets for Ka-32", commented Mikheev, "it means that the technical advantages of this machine have been acknowledged despite serious competition from US producers, which are counting on dominant positions in the growing aviation market of Latin America." 

Jose Luis Garza Alvarez, Director General of Aeroservicios KA Mexicanos, Kamov's Mexican partner, assures that certification of Ka-32A11BC is associated with specific interest from local companies. "There is demand for precisely this type of machines: durable, reliable, with excellent performance characteristics for fire-fighting, mountain operations and cargo transportation on external sling. So this helicopter is bound to fill the niche in the Mexican helicopter market. We are ready to find best collaboration schemes with the operators, from leasing to deferred payments."

Besides Russia, Ka-32A11BC is flying in Spain, Switzerland, Canada and South Korea, carrying out complicated heavy-duty operations in adverse weather and severe climate conditions. In 2004 Ka-32 was widely acclaimed for its work in putting out bush fires in Portugal, Greece and Cyprus, mounting 4.5-ton power line masts in Germany and Switzerland, establishing two new cable railways in the Alps.

FMI: www.aviation.ru/Ka