Medical fitness norms tightened for foreign pilots, Centre tells HC

Chennai: The Civil Aviation Requirements, which prescribe norms for hiring foreign pilots by airlines in India, have been amended and a discriminatory clause which lays down "unreasonably low" experience and medical fitness standards for foreign pilots has been done away with, the Centre informed the Madras high court on Friday.
A submission to this effect was made by additional solicitor-general of South India, M Ravindran, when a PIL filed by the Mumbai-based Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots came up for hearing before the first bench comprising Chief Justice M Yusuf Eqbal and Justice TS Sivagnanam. Taking the submission into consideration, the court directed the petitioner place its objections before the competent authority.
The PIL said that foreign pilots engaged by airlines in India under the Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) need not undergo medical checks which are mandatory for Indian pilots.
V Prakash, senior counsel for the society, said though Indian pilots have to undergo additional medical tests when they reach the age of 55, 57, 59 and 60, foreign pilots were not subjected to these tests. The society also alleged that many of the 174 foreign pilots flying under the FATA did not have satisfactory medical fitness and experience.
Ravindran, however, submitted that through an amendment dated June 8, 2010, identical medical standards have been made applicable to Indian as well as foreign pilots and that the petitioners cannot have any grievance now.
21/08/10 Times of India

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Categories: Foreign Aug 2010, Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2010