Don’t get bullied, DGCA counsels copter pilots

New Delhi: As top politicians ready to get airborne once again for electioneering in states like Haryana and Maharashtra, aviation authorities are calling a meeting of all helicopter operators with the stress this time on one main point — fly as per safety norms and not by the wishes of the passengers.
Though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has such meetings before every election, this meeting assumes significance as it comes close on heels of the demise of Andhra Pradesh CM Y S R Reddy in a chopper crash. ‘‘There is a specific list of dos and don’ts for chopper flying. There have been instances in past where VVIP passengers virtually ordered pilots to take off in adverse conditions. The situation gets worse in states that own choppers, and pilots are their employees; pilots of chartered helicopters can at least say no to passengers,’’ said sources. While most such forced takeoffs go unnoticed, some others, which end in horrific crashes, come to light.
So, this time round, authorities are going to tell chopper operators — both private and government-owned — to strictly follow safety rules.
Pilots will be instructed to be blunt and tell passengers that forcing the chopper to take off in bad weather or veering it off course could have dangerous results.
23/09/909 Times of India

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