Norms for renewing pilot licences might be relaxed

Another issue likely to come up is frequency of proficiency tests, medical checks for cockpit crew

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is likely to relax the norms for renewal of a commercial pilot’s licence (CPL).

“Airlines in their representations to the DGCA have suggested certain amendments to the civil aviation requirements (CAR) and in the oversight mechanism which affect efficiency. One of the suggestions relates to the renewal procedure for pilots’ licences in India, which is perceived to be time-consuming. We will consider these suggestions in a meeting on Friday,” said a senior DGCA official. The aviation regulator is scheduled to meet airlines chief executive officer (CEO)s on Friday.

In India, a CPL is renewed every two years. In their representation, the airlines have said pilots have to be spared for the renewal procedure, which takes a lot of time. “Their contention is that in the US and the UK, a licence is issued once for perpetual use. Without affecting safety, we will see if we can relax some rules,” the official added.

Another issue that is likely to come up for discussion on Friday is the frequency of proficiency tests and medical checks carried out on cockpit crew. India follows the International Aviation Organization guidelines. Under these, a holder of a CPL has to undergo a Class-1 medical check every year.

A commander holding an airline transport pilot’s licence and all pilots above 40 years have to undergo medical tests twice a year.

These medical tests, pilots say, are more stringent than those in many other countries, as these are conducted by the Air Force Medical Board. Besides, the DGCA has made it mandatory for each airline to have a crew resource management session every year. The meeting with the CEOs of scheduled carriers is coming at a time when the DGCA is undertaking several measures to reform the safety and surveillance mechanisms in place in the Indian aviation industry.

On Monday, the regulator had issued strict safety guidelines for the general aviation sector and threatened to cancel air operators’ permit of business jets and helicopters that failed to conform to these rules.

“Earlier, we did not have any penal provision. So, we had to let them (general aviation operators) off. Now, we can take penal action and even cancel their AOPs in cases of gross violation,” said another senior DGCA official.

According to business jet operators, earlier, even surprise safety inspections were rare and the regulator did not have the manpower to carry out such inspections.

However, the second DGCA official added: “We have formed a special cell to increase surveillance and deter operators from violating safety guidelines. We are doing random checks from the beginning of February.”

The regulator had on March 22 grounded a business jet owned by Reliance Commercial Dealers Ltd, as its safety equipment such as fire extinguisher and personal breathing device were beyond expiry dates and the commander was found without his flying licence (he was suspended). The plane was allowed to fly on Sunday after the safety requirements were met. An aircraft registered with Jindal Steel and Power had also come under scrutiny on Saturday. However, since it had not made any major violation, it was not grounded.