Will take stern action against pilots forging log books: DGCA

In the course of the ongoing scrutiny of pilots’ licenses, the aviation regulator on Tuesday warned flying school owners of stern action if they are found guilty of forging pilot log books.

In the course of the ongoing scrutiny of pilots’ licenses, the aviation regulator on Tuesday warned flying school owners of stern action if they are found guilty of forging pilot log books.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conveyed the strong message during a meeting with flying schools owners from across country in Delhi on Tuesday. “Until now only we were only checking the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Now we want to extend the probe on Commercial Pilots Licenses (CPL),” said Bharat Bhushan, director general, DGCA.

ATPL licenses are issued to co-pilots aspiring to become commanders while CPL licenses are issued by flying schools after their students complete the mandatory number of hours of flying. The regulator suspects that some flying schools have been issuing CPL licenses to fresh pilots without completing the mandatory number of flying hours. “We have found evidence about a few flying schools that do not have a single aircraft but have issued flying licenses,” said a DGCA official requesting anonymity.

The regulator would continue its vigilance on superannuated pilots operating passenger’s flights. Last week the aviation watchdog grounded nine senior pilots for operating scheduled passenger flights despite crossing their retirement age of 65. “We will continue monitoring the age of pilots operating commercial flights,” added Bhushan.