Pilots told to practise in simulated rains,so that fliers are safe

A note issued to all airlines on May 6 has asked them to put their pilots through simulator sessions,irrespective of whether they have flown previously during monsoons. DGCA said that it would pay special attention to first-time commanders during monsoons.

“We are taking special measures to bring about improved safety standards. We want airlines to organise training sessions for all their pilots. In the previous years this was largely considered to be a voluntary excercise. This year we have made it compulsory for all airlines,” said Dr Nasim Zaidi,Director General of Civil Aviation.

The DGCA circular says,“Analysis has shown that most of the incidents and accidents,that have occurred,were not generally attributable to inadequacies in aircraft performance but occurred mostly due to various deficiencies/shortcomings of the human element”.

Zaidi said the last three years have seen incidents that could have potentially jeopardised passenger safety during the rains. “In the last three years,an average of around six incidents for every monsoon period has occurred,” Zaidi said.

To ensure that these instructions on monsoon operations are taken seriously,the DGCA will monitor some of the simulator training sessions,Zaidi said. “We have asked airlines to give us a programme immediately on their training sessions. DGCA too will attend some of these sessions,” he said.

Confirming having received the circular,many airlines said that pre-monsoon training sessions happen every year. “This year DGCA has asked us to go for increased simulator training. We will complete our training schedules ahead of the monsoon,” said a Go Air spokesperson.