'DGCA delaying med test parity policy'demand med tests for foreign crew

Mumbai: While Indian pilots undergo stringent medical tests on a regular basis to keep their licences currentand stay employed, foreign pilots can work for Indian carriers without clearing such tests. Last year, after a court order, the aviation regulator was forced to change this rule in favour of a policy that brings parity to medical standards followed for cockpit crew.
On Monday, an association of Jet Airways pilots, the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP), sent a letter to the aviation regulator in protest against the delay in implementation of the parity policy. The letter alleged that the aviation regulator been postponing the deadline set for foreign pilots to undergo Indian medical tests only to suit the commercial interests of airlines.
The SWIP protest letter speaks out against the aviation regulator's decision to give a three-month extension to foreign pilots for fulfilling Indian medical requirements. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decision allows for differential medical standards for foreign pilots and Indian pilots and so compromises air passenger safety, the SWIP letter said.
24/02/11 Manju V/Times of India

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2011