Air charter firms flying politicians under DGCA watch

Non-scheduled commercial airlines being chartered by political leaders for the ongoing election campaign will have to provide a detailed account of their day-to-day operations every Monday to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

This will enable the regulator to check if all the safety norms including the flying hours of pilots and maintenance of aircraft are being strictly followed.

DGCA sources said the process would continue even after the elections as non-scheduled air operators were not organized and monitored in the same manner as scheduled commercial airlines. This would help the DGCA to meet US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) guidelines on safe flying as well.

Air charter firms have been asked to nominate an official for managing their flight operations for elections. The official concerned will also be accountable for any lapses and have to ensure that no unauthorised cash, arms or narcotics are carried on flights.

Last week DGCA released its safety guidelines for air charter companies. A special cell has been set up within DGCA to monitor the flights of all these charter operators on a regular basis.

Other operational issues like time limitations of flight crew, any problems during flight and airport or helipad related problems would also be required to be reported to the DGCA. Air crew flying choppers and small planes during elections are put through long and strenuous flying hours. A large number of take-offs and landings on the same day in congested airspace or freshly developed helipads and often adverse weather pose a huge strain on both men and machines in the rigorous of campaigning.

Lack of adequate communications also pose a substantial risk.

Earlier in January the DGCA had to face the huge embarrassment after being downgraded by US FAA. Last week, DGCA officials had conducted surprise checks and grounded a Reliance Industries-owned 14-seater Falcon 900EX and suspended its pilot for violating safety norms.

Other aircraft operations belonging to Jindal group, L& T, SRC Aviation and Poonawallah Aviation are also under DGCA scrutiny, which are being used in elections.

In association with Mail Today