Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pilots flying certain categories of VVIPs including Z+ category SPG protectees, Lok Sabha speaker, Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson, central ministers of cabinet rank, Chief Justice of India, CMs, governors and state ministers of cabinet rank, have now been empowered to put their foot down and refuse to fly if it is not safe to do so for any reason. Following the death of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others in a small plane crash this Jan, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Friday issued a new set of “guidelines for carriage of central, state and other dignitaries by aircraft.” “….flight crew (should not be) subjected to undue pressure for undertaking a flight which may impact safety of operations. Any last minutes changes to the planned flight due to VIP requirements should be coordinated through the organisation’s management only, and not directly with the crew,” say the new rules.Nothing that VVIPs “use air travel frequently for electioneering and other purposes in (small) aircraft” and choppers, the DGCA says: “Analysis of earlier accidents/incidents associated with aircraft operations to/from airstrips/temporary helipads and during election flying has often revealed violation of instructions and safety was jeopardised. It is essential that adequate measures are taken by all concerned to ensure the highest standards of safety for operation of such flights.”A charter operator for decades said: “These new rules make it possible for us to say no to VIPs to operate flights of it is not safe to do so. In my several years, I have myself gotten into trouble for pointing out it may not be safe to operate due any reason like weather. Now while we are responsible for aircraft maintenance and getting landing approvals, the onus for a safe flight lies with everyone on board the plane. This new rulebook makes that amply clear.“Now issuing the new directives for “strict compliance by all stakeholders and mandates the adoption of effective measures to uphold the highest standards of safety in the operation of such flights,” the DGCA has laid down these must follow conditions like: * Twin-engine aircraft with minimum two crew and good operational capability….* The planning and conduct of the flight are professional responsibilities that must remain under the sound judgment of the flight crew and aircraft maintenance engineers. They should be free from any external pressure or undue influence* The operator/flight crew shall ensure that baggage is properly screened before loading into the aircraft.* All State Governments/PSUs/Non-scheduled/private aircraft operators and the pilots shall ensure existence of a suitable helipad/air strip… intended to be used for landing at least 24 hrs prior to commencing flight.* Before operating to/from remote/uncontrolled airports/helipads, the operator shall obtain landing permission/NOC from the District Authorities regarding landing at various places. *State/District Administration as applicable should facilitate the timely provision of information regarding helipad/airstrip condition, coordinates, security, fire and rescue arrangements as contained in this order and issue the landing permission NOC only after ensuring availability of requisite support services.* The aircraft shall be equipped with serviceable instruments/equipment as required under Instrument Flight Rules, including a serviceable weather radar; communication and navigational equipment * The aircraft must be inspected and certified prior to such flights* Defects in the aircraft, engines and its instruments or equipment reported by pilot in command or detected during inspection on ground, must be rectified before commencement of the next flight* in case of refueling, the quality of fuel should be ensured. Adequate fuel should be uplifted for the flight as planned including contingencies* Experienced pilots to operate such flights”
