NEW DELHI: Concerned over aviation safety, psychological well-being of the pilots and increased terror threats, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the airlines to keep records of individuals, who have undergone pilot training programmes, at least three years after they complete their courses.
Sources said that the changes were made to thwart any kind of infiltration of terror organizations sympathizers or terrorist in the aviation industry. “The apprehension of infiltration of terrorists carrying out pilot training programme has made the DGCA to make new guidelines,” the source added.
Sources further stated that DGCA implementing proactive and as far as possible predictive strategies encouraging all stakeholders and service providers to understand the benefits of a safety culture.
The aviation watch dog issued new guidelines in fresh Airline Type Rating Programme (ATRP) and would be applicable from October 1.
The DGCA also stated that operators should retain detailed student records to show that all requirements of the training course have been met. “These records have to be kept for a minimum period of three years after completion of the training,” as per the guidelines.
The operator should maintain a system for recording the qualifications and training of instructional and examining staff. Such records would be kept for at least three years after the instructor or examiner ceases to perform a function for the operator.
According to the DGCA, the operator should have a minimum fleet of five aeroplanes for the type proposed to be included in the ATRP.
“For operators with an approved ATRP on one type of aeroplane, the requirement of a minimum fleet of five aeroplanes for another type may be met by an order of the additional type without the aeroplanes being held on strength at time of inclusion of the additional type in the ATRP,” DGCA stated.