Page 2 - Pilots

Pilots seek clarity over crash probe, say speculation impacting morale

Pilots and cabin crew members from across airlines said they hoped for more transparency and representation in AAIB, which they believed would help prevent the stress caused by widespread speculation

Pilots' organisation urges inclusion in Air India crash probe as observer

The request comes a day after media reports surfaced alleging that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had turned off the fuel switches moments before the Air India crash

Air India junior pilot asked captain why he turned off fuel switches: WSJ

according to the Wall Street Journal report, the first officer expressed surprise that the fuel switches were off and then panicked, while the captain seemed to remain calm

AI-171 crew deserve respect, not unfounded character judgement: ALPA India

Pilots' grouping ALPA-India on Thursday said the crew of the crashed AI 171 flight made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements. The Air Line Pilots' Association - India (ALPA India) has been demanding a transparent probe into the crash that killed 260 people on June 12. Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft enroute from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed into a building soon after take off and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) came out with its preliminary report into the accident on July 12. "Pilots are trained professionals who carry the responsibility of hundreds of lives with dedication and dignity. "The crew of AI 171 made every possible effort -- till their very last breath -- to protect the passengers on board and minimize harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgments," ALPA India said in a statement. While the preliminary report does not give any conclus

Pilots' grouping flags concerns over AAIB initial report on AI plane crash

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday asked the government to reassess possible technical misinterpretation or mechanical faults in Air India's Boeing 787-8 plane that crashed last month and sought inclusion of subject matter experts in the probe. Flagging concerns about Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report into the crash that killed 260 people on June 12, the federation said the report failed to sufficiently consider or acknowledge two plausible and previously documented technical scenarios, either of which could have triggered an automated shutdown of both engines. FIP has written a letter to the civil aviation ministry raising various concerns related to the crash probe and the preliminary report, according to a source. While appreciating the timely release of the preliminary findings, the federation also said the initial report appears to infer or suggest the possibility of pilot error, without presenting any conclusive evidence or ...

AI crash: Pilots' association slams 'reckless insinuation of pilot suicide'

Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation, especially of such a grave nature, is unacceptable and must be condemned, the ICPA said

Dismay, unease among Air India pilots after preliminary crash report

They flag its 'vague' language and omission of key technical details

Days on, Ahmedabad plane crash weighs heavy on minds of pilots, crew

New DGCA norms call for MORE rest for pilots, revision of night duty RULEs, and directions to airlines to submit fatigue reports

DGCA seeks Air India pilots' training data, crashed plane dispatcher info

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation also asked all flying schools to conduct training compliance checks, according to the confidential memos, seen by Reuters

'We don't want to continue': Air India pilot returns flight to Hong Kong

The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the same as the one involved in the brutal crash that killed 241 people out of 242 on board in Ahmedabad

Soon, DGCA may allow 12th pass students without science to fly aircrafts

Since the mid-1990s, only science students can pursue commercial pilot licences in India. The recommendation will be sent to the Union aviation ministry for approval

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 Express pilot dies of cardiac arrest after landing in Delhi

The pilot safely completed flight operations when he reportedly vomitted inside the aircraft. Soon after, he collapsed at the airline's dispatch office at the airport

India needs at least 20K pilots in coming years: Aviation minister Naidu

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday launched Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots, a significant step towards modernising and enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of civil aviation in India. With this launch, India has become the second country in the world to implement EPL for flight crew. China has already implemented such a facility. The minister launched the EPL at UDAAN Bhawan here. Implementation of Electronic Personnel License (EPL) by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aligns with the government's Ease of Doing Business and Digital India Initiative. The adoption of EPL cements India's position as a leader in aviation innovation. India has not only addressed the needs of its own aviation sector but has also set an example for other nations to follow. The step aligns with the roadmap of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for modern aviation governance and reflects the nation's readiness to embrace the future.

Section of Akasa Air pilots seeks detailed DGCA audit over training issues

Resentment among a section of Akasa Air pilots continued allegedly over training issues with these pilots seeking a detailed DGCA audit of the airline a day after the regulator ordered suspension of two senior airline officials for certain lapses, according to a communication. In a detailed communication to the civil aviation ministry and the DGCA on Saturday, the section of pilots has also mentioned that they are in the process of forming a pilots' union at the airline. Queries to Akasa Air on this issue remained unanswered. According to the communication, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has served 10 showcause notices to the airline in recent weeks for various alleged lapses. Earlier this month, allegations related to pilot training practices and attrition of pilots made by the section of pilots were termed baseless and untrue by the airline. On December 27, the DGCA ordered the suspension of Akasa Air's directors of operations and training for six months for ..

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

Akasa Air pilots flag training and safety practices, airline denies charges

The section of Akasa Air pilots wrote to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and highlighted alleged unfair practices, harassment and safety concerns.

Fog mandate: DGCA denies Akasa relief, enforces CAT-III pilot rule

The airline had informed the DGCA that without this exemption, its entire flight operations could face a "cascading" impact

New pilot duty, rest hours can be implemented from July 2025: DGCA to HC

The implementation of the revised rules regarding duty and rest hours for pilots has already been delayed by over six months

Training lapses: DGCA issues notices to two senior execs of Akasa Air

Sources indicated that these pilots, who received training on unqualified simulators, may be required to undergo simulator training again