Are Indian pilots any less trained, competent and experienced than their counterparts in other countries? Are there flying schools in the country that issue licences - but barely train or offer enough flying hours for a pilot to qualify? A recent report by Bloomberg News highlighted the fact that there were a number of flying clubs and pilot training academies in India that issued licences to pilots - first officers - that showed a higher number of flying hours on their certificates than they had actually flown. In other words, the pilots who held these valid licences and who could in effect end up with various airlines across the country may not actually be equipped, experienced or trained well enough to fly. Judging by the report, and by other available evidence, this is anything but a recent phenomenon. It is not unheard of for flying clubs to over-log the flying hours, charge full money and also make money on fuel saved. In fact, there have been past instances of honest auditors in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) who highlighted such malpractices; but no one ever got punished.
15/06/15 Business Standard Editorial Comment
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
15/06/15 Business Standard Editorial Comment
