Airlines training pilots to land in poor visibility

New Delhi: Foreseeing trouble caused due to dense fog conditions that throw airline schedules haywire, major airlines have started training their senior pilots for landing in low visibility conditions. Trained cockpit crew — the commandant as well as the co-pilot — are important when the CAT-IIIB conditions are initiated. These conditions are normally initiated for a month’s period (December 15- January 15).
According to the statistics available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a total of 580 Indian pilots covering 10 airlines are trained for CAT IIIB operations covering a variety of aircraft. Air India has the highest number of trained pilots in command (395) and co-pilots (282). Kingfisher has 152 trained commandants and 120 co-pilots, whereas Jet Airways has 132 trained pilots in command and 51 co-pilots for CAT IIB conditions.
According to the airport officials, Air India is pioneer in training their pilots and due to this, their schedules were the least affected last year. Private airlines, too, have realised that the shortage of trained cockpit crew may come in the way of smooth operation of flights if schedules go haywire from Delhi. A spokesperson of Jet Airways said, “Even due to huge investment of `5 lakh per year per pilot, the airline is training pilots for the latest technology. However, looking at the costs involved, we are bound to be choosy and select only senior pilots for training.”
05/12/11 Pragya Singh/Daily Pioneer

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Categories: airports Dec 2011, Safety Dec 2011