DGCA should insist same medical checks for foreign pilots over 60: Experts

Mumbai: An aviation safety expert said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) should insist that all foreign pilots over the age of 60 undergo the same medical checks in India that Indian pilots over the age of 60 are asked to go through. Director General of Civil Aviation K Gohain was not available for comment.
Why are these airlines putting passengers at risk? Because there’s a huge shortage of experienced pilots as Indian skies have become overcrowded. Each year, there is a shortage of 600 captains and 300 co-pilots and this at a time when mushrooming airlines are scheduled to add 480 more aircraft in the next five years.
No wonder that more than 40% of the people manning cockpits are foreigners. Apart from US, several countries have age limits for pilots flying passenger craft.
“In India, trainee pilots who come from a Cessna or other single-engine aircraft can fly with these 60-plus commanders,” said the source.
09/09/07 Manju V/Times of India