Pilots On Commercial Flights

Two Air India Group pilots test non-negative in initial drug screening

Two pilots of the Air India Group have failed the initial drug test as their results came "non-negative" and their samples have been sent for confirmatory tests, according to a source. On August 13, Air India and Air India Express started mandatory psychoactive substance testing of all their pilots, expanding checks beyond regulatory requirements. These tests were made mandatory following the August 4 incident, when the captain of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight, that suddenly lost altitude, tested positive for marijuana. The source on Monday said psychoactive substance tests have been completed for around 400 pilots of the Air India Group so far. Of them, the initial screening test results have come "non-negative" for two pilots, the source said. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained. There was no official comment from Air India. The two Tata Group-owned airlines have more than 5,000 pilots. The comprehensive screening covers substances and medications prohibi

DGCA sets up expert panel to plan multi-crew pilot licence in India

Unlike current CPL training, MPL focuses on airline-specific, simulator-led, multi-crew operations from the outset through integrated airline partnerships

Govt reviews medical emergency protocols at airports after pilot's death

On April 9, an Air India Express pilot suffered a cardiac arrest at Delhi airport shortly after flying in from Srinagar. The airline later confirmed his passing

Air India orders 34 trainer craft for cadet pilots at planned flying school

The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria

Anticipating pilot shortage, Air India to launch its own training school

Air India's initiative marks a departure from the traditional approach of Indian airlines, which have typically partnered with independent flight schools both domestically and internationally

Commercial flight operations take off at Shivamogga airport in Karnataka

Flight operations took off at Shivamogga airport in Karnataka on Thursday with an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru landing here. Karnataka Minister M B Patil, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, and Lok Sabha member from Shivamogga B Y Raghavendra were among those who were onboard the flight to this district headquarters town. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga Kuvempu airport on February 27 this year, coinciding with the 80th birthday of Yediyurappa. Shivamogga is the home district of the Karnataka BJP strongman, a four-time Chief Minister. The flight departed at 9.55 a.m. from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru and touched down at Kuvempu airport here at 10.45 am, officials said. They said the Kuvempu airport at Sogane, 15 km from Shivamogga city, has become the first to be operated and maintained by the state government through its Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. "To facilitate air travel for ordinary citizens,

DGCA investigating AirAsia India after pilot alleges safety violations

Gaurav Taneja tweeted on Sunday that he has been suspended by AirAsia India 'for standing up for safe operations of an aircraft and its passengers'

Why having two pilots on commercial flights is vital for passenger safety

Having two crew members in the cockpit is an imposed requirement by the Federal Aviation Authority among US airlines