New Delhi, Aug. 28:
The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued notices to over 20 flying clubs nationwide.
The notices relate to complaints about infrastructure, training facility and malpractices in logging the flying hours among others.
“Flying clubs need to reply within the next fifteen days. Subject to their replies, we will plan the future action,” a senior DGCA official told Business Line. After audit of some clubs, the DGCA has already ordered closure of one of the oldest, Bombay Flying Club. This club boasts itself of helping JRD Tata obtain his licence in 1929.
The notices have been issued after the airline watchdog completed the audit of 20-25 flying clubs of the total 40 in the country. Though the plan was to complete the audit by the end of this month, it will now spill over to the next month, the official added.
Fake licence scam
The regulator decided to go for the audit after the fake pilot licence scam was unearthed. There were complaints that some of the flying clubs had given illegal flying certificates to pilots even though they did not have the requisite flying experience for getting the certificate.
Under the audit, the DGCA is also taking the help of the Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) concerned on whether the particular club really took the pilot wanting a licence for flying training or not. The results are then being matched with the log book of candidates, the official said.
One of the key problems is the lack of Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). Currently, there are about 25 CFIs in the country. The official informed that technically, every flying club should have one CFI, although the regulator has permitted the club to run with Assistant Pilot Instructor.
Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com
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