DGCA asks general aviation pilots to follow rules strictly

New Delhi: Passengers have travelled on the co-pilot's seat in small aircraft and helicopters and interfered with their controls while pilots dosed off during flights.
These are facts acknowledged by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which has instructed all aircraft operators, particularly those involved in general aviation, to strictly comply with the already laid down guidelines.
The instructions were based on analysis of accidents involving general aviation planes and choppers which were certified for single pilot operations.
General aviation excludes both military and commercial passenger transport and comprises all private and business aviation like executive or corporate flights.
It also includes flying club activity and commercial operations by small aircraft such as air taxi, agricultural work, flying training as well as, for election campaigning by major political parties in the country.
DGCA's instructions came just before the campaigning began as some of the accidents, especially during electioneering, involved general aviation helicopters.
In a circular, the DGCA has said passengers have "occupied" the co-pilot's seat with the duplicate controls in the cockpit installed, resulting in the pilot facing serious problems in handling emergencies in an effective manner.It has asked all operators to ensure that the dual control in aircraft, certified for single pilot operation, was deactivated "whenever the co-pilot's seat is occupied by a passenger. It will be the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the dual controls are deactivated.
"In spite of the instructions (that) already exist, it was observed in the investigation of a number of accidents that duplicate controls in the cockpit were not deactivated and passengers were allowed to sit on the co-pilot's seat".
19/04/09 PTI/Deccan herald

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2009, Safety Apr 2009