DGCA to comply with ICAO and FAA’s safety audit recommendations

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has developed an effective strategy to strengthen and develop a robust regulatory mechanism and a safety oversight system. This has been done to comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s recommendations. The two agencies have audited India’s Safety Oversight System and have recommended in areas relating to trained technical manpower especially in the areas of flight operations, air navigation and aerodromes in DGCA; legislative framework and regulations governing aviation safety; and effective surveillance over operations and resolution of safety concerns.
To meet international safety obligations, DGCA has carried out a corrective action plan according to which the Government has approved revival of 132 lapsed technical positions and approved creation of 427 technical positions. Efforts are being made by DGCA to obtain approval for ad-hoc appointment of flight operations inspectors pending regular recruitment. DGCA will also hire consultants on 72 technical positions on short-term contract till regular recruitment is done. An aggressive action plan for regular recruitment/ promotion on newly created/ revived positions and strengthening of regional offices has been drawn up and is being pursued. As an interim measure, selection of about 40 Aviation Safety Inspectors on ‘secondment’ from industry in the areas of flight operations, cabin safety, aerodromes, air navigation services and dangerous goods has been done. To spruce up safety standards to be at par with international standards, a DGCA-wide surveillance programme has been prepared and DGCA officials along with seconded inspectors are carrying out surveillance.
India has so far complied with 54 of the 70 recommendations of ICAO, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), and had audited India’s safety oversight system in October 2006 under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). Under the USOAP programme, ICAO conducts mandatory audit of all its contracting States (190). DGCA is working to comply with the remaining 16 findings, of which four findings relate to Airports Authority of India (AAI) and have been committed for compliance by December 2009. Seven findings in the areas of air navigation services and aerodromes will be addressed by two National Projects with the technical assistance from ICAO for which Government approval is under way. DGCA is addressing the remaining findings which involve procurement of accident investigation and aerodrome kits; licensing of aerodromes and enhancement of manpower. A proposal for the setting up of National Safety Transportation Board to ensure independence of accident investigation is under examination with the Planning Commission.
Based on ICAO audit report of 2006, the FAA has held consultation with DGCA twice in 2008 and again in January 2009. It had also conducted reassessment of DGCA in March 2009 at New Delhi. The DGCA has taken steps to meet the concerns over safety of civil aviation system of India as raised by the FAA and has rectified 18 out of 19 deficiencies in areas of legislation, flight operations, airworthiness, surveillance and enforcement. On the outstanding one deficiency, which involves amendment of Aircraft Rule, 1937, a draft Notification has been sent to the Ministry of Law for approval.
25/06/09 Press Information Bureau

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

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