Latest news with #CivilAviationRules
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
DGCA pulls up IndiGo over improper pilot training
India's aviation regulator has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo for using 'non-qualified simulators' to train pilots operating to three challenging airports, citing scrutiny of records and email replies from the airline. DGCA pulls up IndiGo over improper pilot training The Directorate General of Civil Aviation notice, issued on Monday and seen by HT, found that 'Category C (Critical) airfield training for flight crew' was conducted using simulators not approved for specific airports as required under Civil Aviation Rules. It found that about 1,700 IndiGo pilots received training on simulators that lacked the required approval to prepare them for flights to Leh, Kozhikode and Kathmandu. These three destinations are classified as 'critical' airports, meaning they present special flying challenges that require specific, certified training equipment. The review showed several Full Flight Simulators used for training, testing or checking used by the airline were not qualified or approved for those specific destinations. Issues were recorded across 20 simulators nationwide — two each in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad, five each in Greater Noida and Gurugram, and four in Bengaluru. All were found unqualified to operate training for the three airports. 'As an approved post holder (director - training) of M/s IndiGo, you were responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable Civil Aviation Requirements. However, it has been observed that you have failed to ensure the use of appropriately qualified simulators for training related to Class III (critical) airports, in violation of the above-mentioned CAR provisions,' DGCA said in the notice. The regulator has given IndiGo 14 days to respond, warning: 'Therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 14 days of receipt of this notice as to why action should not be taken against you for the said lapse under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and CAR.' DGCA said it would presume the airline had nothing to submit in defence should it fail to respond within the deadline. 'Ex parte action shall be initiated against you as per rules,' the notice added. The airline confirmed the notice. 'We confirm receipt of a show-cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in process of reviewing the same and will respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline,' an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statement.
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
DGCA Issues Notice To IndiGo For Using Non-Qualified Simulators To Train Pilots
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo for using "non-qualified simulators" to train 1,700 pilots operating to three critical airports with difficult runway conditions that require specialised handling of aircraft to ensure safe landings and take-offs. The show-cause notice states that IndiGo conducted Category C (Critical) airfield training for flight commanders and first officers using non-qualified simulators. The DGCA has stated that a review of IndiGo's simulator training data showed several Full Flight Simulators used for training, testing, or checking for airfields such as Kozhikode, Leh, and Kathmandu were not qualified or approved for the specific airport models, as required under the Civil Aviation Rules (CAR). The notice states that IndiGo has failed to ensure the use of appropriately qualified simulators for training related to Class III (critical) airports, in violation of the CAR provisions. The civil aviation regulator has set a 14–day deadline for IndiGo to respond to the notice as to why action should not be taken against the airline for the lapse under the provisions of the Aircraft Rules and CAR. IndiGo confirmed receiving a show-cause notice from the DGCA for alleged lapses in simulator training conducted for nearly 1,700 pilots and said it is reviewing it. The IndiGo spokesperson said, "We confirm receipt of a show-cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to the simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in the process of reviewing the same and will respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline." "We remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance across our operations," the airline added. The Kozhikode airport has a tabletop runway, which is built on elevated terrain and can present unique challenges for pilots. There is a higher risk because the drop-off at the end of the runway increases the risk of overruns by an aircraft. Besides, the elevated position can create an optical illusion where the runway appears closer than it actually is. The Leh airport is one of the highest in the world, situated at 10,682 feet (3,256 meters) above sea level. This lower air pressure and reduced oxygen levels impact aircraft performance and require specialised pilot training. The airport is located amidst high mountains, creating a complex flight path and making visual navigation crucial, especially during approach and departure.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
DGCA issues notice to IndiGo over ‘non-qualified' simulator use to train pilots
Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to IndiGo for using 'non-qualified simulators' to train 1,700 pilots operating to three airports, citing scrutiny of records and email replies from the airline. IndiGo did not respond to a request for comments on the notice. (HT PHOTO) '...it has been found that Category C (Critical) airfield training for flight crew (approximately 1700 (PIC & First Officers) was conducted using non-qualified simulators,' said the notice, a copy of which HT has seen, issued on Monday. It said the review of the simulator training data showed several Full Flight Simulators (FFSs) used for training, testing, or checking for airfields such as Kozhikode, Leh, and Kathmandu were not qualified or approved for the specific airport models, as required under mandatory Civil Aviation Rules (CAR). The notice referred to non-qualified airfields and detailed the location where they were used to train the pilots in command and first officers. It added that issues were recorded in 20 simulators. The notice said two each in Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad, five each in Greater Noida and Gurugram, and four in Bengaluru were not qualified to operate on the three airports. The notice said the IndiGo director (training) was responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable civil aviation requirements. '...it has been observed that you have failed to ensure the use of appropriately qualified simulators for training related to Class III (critical) airports, in violation of provisions,' the DGCA said. '...show cause within 14 days of receipt of this notice as to why action should not be taken against you for the lapse under the provisions of the Aircraft Rules and CAR.' The regulator said that it would presume that the airline had nothing to submit in defence in case it fails to respond within 14 days. '..ex parte action shall be initiated against you as per rules.' IndiGo did not respond to a request for comments on the notice.
Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Air India tells pilots to ensure adherence to rules in annual test
New Delhi: Air India has asked its pilots to ensure rules are followed during their mandatory annual test, officials told HT on Sunday. Air India tells pilots to ensure adherence to rules in annual test In an internal email to the pilots, seen by HT, the airline also informed them that it is upgrading its training and rostering software. The internal email, sent by the director training late night on Saturday, is a notice to all pilots stating that the airline is upgrading the CAE system. CAE, a Canadian simulator company, is a pilot training management platform used by airlines. The notice read, '..This step is being introduced as an additional mitigation measure, while our planning teams continue to monitor the process closely as well…' 'Pilots have been asked to double-check their assigned trainer for Annual Line Route check (ALC) against their previous ALC record,' one of the officials aware of the development said. ALC is a yearly flying test for pilots where a senior trainer flies with them during a regular flight to see how they perform. The test is done on an actual flight. A comment from Air India was awaited till the time of going to press. A second official aware of the matter however, said that the software upgrade triggered the email to the pilots. 'Civil Aviation Rules (CAR) mandate the pilots to perform these annual tests with different trainers every year. Since the software is being upgraded, automated safeguards may not be fully functional and so manual verification has been requested from the pilots.' 'This is not related to the recent notices,' he insisted. This is part of its strategy to ensure norms are followed during such planned training - non compliance have triggered slew of notices from the aviation safety regulator, another official said. To be sure, India's aviation regulator on Wednesday issued four show cause notices to Air India for multiple violations of operational procedures and regulations on training cabin crew and managing their duty hours. The government, in its first meeting with the senior management of Air India including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson received a detailed explanation of the airline's efforts towards maintaining safety, reviewed recent incidents, discussed fleet maintenance, and asked the airline to reassess its operations within a month. The move came amid heightened concerns over passenger safety and the operational standards being followed by both Air India and its low-cost subsidiary. 'The government, last week, ordered Air India to maintain the highest level of safety standards, after which it will review the airline's operations after a month,' another official said. These efforts are being made to ensure compliance and many more will follow. 'The airline is now taking more efforts,' he added.
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury to get more test flights
Photo: Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre Part of Canterbury's airspace is now permanently allocated for test flights in a move the minister for space says will position the region as a global leader in aerospace innovation. Judith Collins said the test flight allocation would give Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre on Lake Ellesmere and other aviation companies the freedom to safely trial next-generation technologies. "The Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) permanent special use airspace designation for Tāwhaki anchors Canterbury's growing reputation as a national hub for space and advanced aviation innovation." From August 7, six 'Restricted and Danger Areas' will be permanently designated but only activated when needed, to minimise disruptions to other fliers. Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ Collins said the space sector in particular had grown rapidly. "Canterbury is an ideal launchpad for the space and advanced aviation sectors due to its combination of location, test-bed facilities, research and innovation capability, manufacturing capability and workforce," Collins said. "The space sector has grown 53% in the five years to 2023-24 to contribute more than $2.47 billion to the economy. "The advanced aviation sector contributed $480 million in the same period, with some overlaps with the space sector." Restricted Areas will allow Tāwhaki to manage the entry, exit and operations of aircraft in the area while Danger Areas let airspace users know there is a potential danger to flying in the area. Tāwhaki executive director John Holt said the allocation was a win for the sector and "regulatory infrastructure" was just as vital as the physical infrastructure. "This Special Use Airspace is a significant piece of infrastructure that will unlock huge opportunities for New Zealand. It's forward-looking, pragmatic and, most importantly, keeps safety absolutely paramount," Holt said. Collins said the government saw space as having huge potential. "The upcoming New Zealand Aerospace Summit in Christchurch in October will draw an international audience, providing an opportunity to showcase Canterbury's unique attributes to advanced aviation innovators." Public consultation on the proposed changes to the Civil Aviation Rules close on July 27.
