Airlines should keep pilots records for 3 yrs after training

Airlines offering type-rated pilot training programmes should maintain records of the concerned individuals for at least three years after they complete their courses, aviation regulator DGCA has directed.
The watchdog's directive, part of guidelines to be followed for Airline Type Rating Programme (ATRP), comes in the backdrop of persisting concerns over aviation safety and focus on psychological well-being of pilots.
These requirements are part of the fresh Airline Type Rating Programme (ATRP) guidelines for scheduled operators issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Among other things, the operator should retain detailed student records to show that all requirements of the training course have been met as approved by the DGCA. These records have to be "kept for a minimum period of three years after completion of the training," as per the guidelines.

The operator should maintain a system for recording the qualifications and training of instructional and examining staff. Such records would be kept for at least three years after the instructor or examiner ceases to perform a function for the operator.
The guidelines or Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) would be applicable from October 1.

According to the DGCA, the operator should have a minimum fleet of five aeroplanes for the type proposed to be included in the ATRP.
"For operators with an approved ATRP on one type of aeroplane, the requirement of a minimum fleet of five aeroplanes for another type may be met by an order of the additional type without the aeroplanes being held on strength at time of inclusion of the additional type in the ATRP," the regulator said.

In recent times, concerns about overall aviation safety have been growing.
The crash of a Germanwings plane flying from Spain to Germany in March last year raised serious concerns as it is believed that the co-pilot had deliberately done it.