DGCA to increase surveillance of flying training organisations to improve safety

The increase in surveillance will also facilitate instructors in analyzing the performance of the trainee pilots and investigations by DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday rolled out a fresh circular notifying Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) to amplify its surveillance by installing CCTV cameras and other monitoring devices to keep track of the training activities. It should be done within 90 days, said the aviation regulator.

There were 35 FTOs at the end of August this year (Representative Photo)

The objective of the order is to enhance DGCA’s oversight of flying training and ground training activities of training organisations to improve the safety of operations and the quality of training.

“FTOs operate from various controlled and uncontrolled airfields. Inspection/surveillance/audit of these flying training organisations are carried out by DGCA as per Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR),” reads the order.

The increase in surveillance will also facilitate instructors in analyzing the performance of the trainee pilots and investigations by DGCA, the order added.

There were 35 FTOs at the end of August this year.

The circular also advised that the Student Pilot License (SPL) and Flight Radio Telephony Operators License (FRTOL) (R) exams be monitored directly under live feed by the Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) of DGCA.

“The high-resolution cameras to be installed to ensure proper visibility of flying training activities. It should cover the view of the Apron area, Hangar, Taxiway and runway, Classrooms Examination Room, and areas where the flights are authorized in the flight authorization register,” further reads the circular.

The regulator instructed that the FTOs operating with aircraft not pre-equipped with glass cockpit or ADS (B) shall devise a method within 90 days for recording and monitoring the flights to check if the flight path flown by their trainee pilots and instructors is in accordance with the flight authorisation.

FTOs should install/carry equipment which automatically records at least parameters such as engine start/stop time (as feasible), flight path followed, and height and speed of aircraft at all times, it said.

FTOs should ensure that surveillance cameras are functional during flying activities and the camera feed must be displayed in the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Deputy CFI and flying instructor rooms, it added.

“The FTO shall ensure that the recording of the glass cockpit, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast ADS (B) or any other monitoring device is functional during flying activities. In case the cameras/ADS (B) or any other monitoring device is nonfunctional, FTO should intimate DFT immediately via email and take action to make it functional within 15 days,” the circular read

The recording of cameras should be preserved for at least 30 days and the flight data of all the devices for a minimum of 6 months, the DGCA said.