DGCA issues rules for pilots taking controlled rest on flight

Informing the cabin crew before taking 'controlled rest' and always monitoring emergency frequency are some of the instructions issued by the DGCA to pilots, following incidents of two Indian aircraft going off the radar in European airspace recently.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed a pilot is now required to inform the cabin crew in-charge before taking 'controlled rest'.
The aviation regulator also said after the first 20 minutes of the controlled rest the non-resting pilot will establish contact with cabin in-charge. Failing this the cabin in-charge will establish contact with the cockpit crew.
After the first 40 minutes, the cabin in-charge will establish contact with the non-resting pilot.

It said the cockpit crew to always monitor the emergency frequency and maintain it at an appropriate volume during flight operations.
The aviation regulator has also directed that the volume of the speaker inside the cockpit be maintained at the right level.

As per these norms, the non-resting crew can not wear headsets till the time the resting crew is taking controlled rest.
"All airlines are also required to maintain a log of controlled rest taken by the cockpit crew. DGCA will carry random checks for the same," the notification said.
Last month, a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Heathrow lost communication with Germany's Air Traffic Control (ATC), forcing the German Air Force to scramble two fighter jets after it. It later emerged that one of the pilots was taking controlled rest and the other was on the wrong frequency.

Also, a London-bound Air India aircraft from Ahmedabad had to be escorted by fighter jets after it lost contact with the ATC while flying over Hungary.