Directorate General of Civil Aviation mulling to introduce easier flying license rules for small operators

NEW DELHI: India's civil aviation regulator is likely to make it easier for companies to start flight operations, especially those seeking to use small planes. It's also recommended that small operators be allowed to run scheduled services to boost connectivity of destinations that aren't served by airlines.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is preparing a new set of civil aviation rules that would substantially ease the process of getting an air operator's permit or flying license for so-called non-scheduled operators (NSOPs), said a senior official at the regulator.

Such companies typically run corporate or chartered flight services. The proposed rules could result in the time an NSOP needs to get a flying license being slashed to six months from around a year now.

Currently, both scheduled and nonscheduled operators have to meet the same guidelines for a flying license.

"It has been found that the NSOPs do not need to meet a lot of conditions to get a license, which the scheduled operators have to, since they operate with much lesser complex aircraft and systems. The work is on for a less complex set of rules for them, making them simpler," said the DGCA official cited above.

The new rules are likely to categorize general aviation operators into two-companies that operate smaller and less complex aircraft and others that operate large aircraft as well.

The rules are likely to be simpler for the first type and more elaborate for the second. Operators welcomed the move.

"This was a long-pending demand from our side since we do no need to go through such a complex process for licenses like the scheduled operators. This is a step in the right direction," said RK Bali, secretary of the Business Aircraft Operators' Association.

There are about 130 NSOPs in the country that are registered with the DGCA.

Other proposals being considered include allowing NSOPs to engage in scheduled commuter or shuttle services to encourage air connectivity in and out of tier-II and tier-III cities.

- Source:  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com