DGCA to create separate wing for air charter sector

The DGCA said the regulator was planning to set up a separate General Aviation wing to regulate the sector

Concerned over lack of safety facilities in air charter companies and for planes owned by corporates and individuals, DGCA today said it would create a separate unit within it, change the rules and recruit skilled manpower to address the problem.

"It is the most difficult task for the civil aviation regulator (DGCA) as the number of operators are 144. Many of them have one or two aircraft and they don't have a proper safety department," DGCA chief Arun Mishra said here.

The Director General of Civil Aviation said the regulator was planning to set up a separate General Aviation wing to regulate the sector.

"We are in the process of distinguishing scheduled and non-scheduled operators," he said. Scheduled operators are airlines which operate as per pre-determined flight schedules while non-scheduled ones are basically private charters.

Addressing a seminar on 'General Aviation: The Next Step' organised by Indo American Chambers of Commerce, Mishra said a series of measures were on the anvil to promote non-scheduled air operations and safety.

He said a major problem faced by general aviation or business aviation sector now was regarding the notice-period for overflying and landing of an aircraft.

Currently, if a non-scheduled flight has to overfly the Indian airspace or land somewhere in the country, seven or three day notice have to be given before the flight is undertaken, Mishra said, adding that such problems needed to be tackled urgently to provide much shorter notice periods.

He acknowledged that getting permission for such non- scheduled operations was also difficult and time-consuming.

"If a foreign pilot is operating a flight for a scheduled operator, he or she does not need clearances because they can fly only after it has been granted. But a foreign pilot operating a non-scheduled flight would have to get such clearances every time they fly," he said.

Noting that non-scheduled flights to defence-controlled airports also faced several problems including clearances to land, Mishra said "we are in discussions with the Defence Ministry to sort them out."

Acute shortage of manpower in DGCA was also causing hindrances, he said, adding "we are in the process of improving our manpower strength. The process of setting up of Civil Aviation Authority is also underway. It would pave way for recruiting people from market with better pay."

The DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry have also held discussions with the Home Ministry on security aspects of general aviation. "We are on the verge of a breakthrough in our bid to follow the best international practices."