DGCA borrows airlines' inspectors

Bangalore: Airlines have come to the rescue of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by providing it with staff for its flight inspection directorate (FID) as the Federation of Aviation Administration's (FAA) inspection date for the government body's safety oversight systems nears.
The FAA team is expected to review the DGCA's safety oversight system in July to gauge whether it meets the minimum standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Since the directorate does not have much time to fill up the 15 vacancies in the FID, it has pulled in flight inspectors from airlines till the time it recruits its own staff.
Nasim Zaidi, director-general of civil aviation, told DNA Money the DGCA has appointed 14 flight inspectors from different scheduled airline operators, pending regular appointment of its own inspectors.
"It would have taken us a long time to hire our own flight inspectors, so we have gone for the secondment system (where trained staff from outside is appointed). This is an interim measure, where the flight inspectors (from airlines) will be working for us full time till March 31, 2010," the DGCA chief said.
A senior executive of SpiceJet also confirmed the situation, saying even his airline's flight inspectors have been approved by the DGCA to work in FID.
"Yes, airlines are taking responsibility of training and surveillance in DGCA. I do not have complete information, but I know that a couple of our people have been earmarked for the DGCA functions," he said.
It is important for the DGCA to pass muster with the FAA.
01/06/09 Praveena Sharma/Daily News & Analysis

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