Stricter DGCA rules for jets ferrying VIPs

The increase in private charter flights due to election campaigns has prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA) to issue a safety list of do's and don'ts for business jet operators and their pilots along with a warning of strict penal action in case these guidelines are not met.

According to the guidelines, operators and flight crew must ensure that no unauthorised cash, narcotics or arms are carried in the flight. The guidelines stipulate submission of passenger manifests to the aviation regulator a week in advance. Flight crews would have to carry local and other maps during flight for navigation and shall not rely on global positioning system only, the guidelines state.

DGCA has asked flight crews to google helipad coordinates as an additional measure to check their correctness, suitability and other flying aspects like obstacles (for instance, tall trees and high tension wires) and landing and take- off directions.

Besides, a special cell has been set up within DGCA to monitor flights of nonscheduled charter operators. A senior official said that many of these rules are already in force, but a fresh emphasis is being laid to keep private jet operators on their toes as VIP flights have shot up with political leaders hitting the campaign trail.

The latest circular also lays down penalty for non- compliance of guidelines which include suspension of operations, flying licence as well as the pilot's licence. Copies of the latest circular has been sent to the Election Commission, state governments and all the non- scheduled operators.

The guidelines came three days after DGCA grounded a business jet owned by Reliance Industries Limited ( RIL) following a surprise inspection that revealed crucial safety equipment had expired and the pilot was not carrying his licence. The aircraft was later cleared after RIL replaced the equipment and furnished the required documents.

According to sources, elections involve strenuous flying which includes a large number of take- offs and landings, lack of proper rest, hurriedly prepared helipads, crowd control and congested airspace. The aircrew and needs to be extra alert to ensure complete safety, an official said.