The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is undertaking a review of the operating permits of 146 non-scheduled operators in the country. The review comes after safety concerns regarding operations of private aircraft were raised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in its safety audit in late 2012.
?We have set up five teams to re-validate the operating permits of non-scheduled operators,? said Arun Mishra, director general of DGCA. ?We are doing this on a priority basis to complete the process as soon as possible.?
Non-scheduled operators include business houses like Reliance Industries, Larsen & Toubro, GMR, GVK, Essar among others, which are flying private aircraft. Charter companies like Air One Aviation and Invision Air Services also come under non-scheduled operator category.
In its report, which is yet to be made public, ICAO raised questions on the monitoring of aircraft operations in the country, which included charters and business jets. ICAO reports are published on its website and based on the safety audit reports, global airlines take a call on whether or not to fly to a specific country.
?ICAO has identified a significant safety concern with respect to the ability of this state to properly oversee aircraft in its jurisdiction,? the report stated.
Mishra said the safety concerns were regarding whether the aircraft were carrying adequate safety equipment like life rafts. ?The operators have been very cooperative,? said Mishra. ?We are checking whether all equipment is in order.? Meanwhile, the DGCA has also assigned two Flight Operations Inspectors (FOI) for every 5-6 non-scheduled operators.
?To streamline the process of dealing with operations of fixed wing non-scheduled operators, one FOI shall be assigned to oversee operations of 5-6 non-scheduled operators,? said a senior DGCA official. ?For continuity and better management control, each FOI will have an alternate FOI to deal with contingencies.?
The FOIs will be responsible for examination, upkeep and retention of all flight-related documentation in the non-scheduled aircraft. The inspectors will also undertake surveillance, safety audits and related checks.
The move is expected to help the DGCA monitor non-scheduled air operations better and also make the process of obtaining flight clearances easier for non-scheduled operators.