Lucknow: Believe it or not but the state VIPs, including some former UP chief ministers have been flying in aircraft and helicopters which were not fitted with the extremely crucial Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). These key equipment are required to provide key details at the time of crash-landing. The alarming disclosure that at least three aircraft of the civil aviation department's fleet are without these equipment came to light when the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) asked the UP government to install them as soon as possible.
A top civil aviation official confirmed to TOI at least two aircraft and a chopper are to yet to be fitted with either FDR or CVR or even both, as per the requirement. After the DGCA's warning, the department of civil aviation has now invited tenders for installation of these equipment.
10/05/13 Pankaj Shah/Times of India
