DGCA audit grounds Bombay Flying Club

Mumbai Country’s oldest pilot training school, the Bombay Flying Club founded by JRD Tata in 1929, may have to shut shop. The flying school, which boasts of training JRD Tata, has been caught fudging records. An audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revealed several discrepancies in the functioning of flying clubs across the country. “The inspection revealed several violations. There were irregularities in records and standard operating procedures were not followed. Even fire extinguishers were scarce,” said Bharat Bhushan, the Director General, adding that the schools fudged logging of hours. “It indicates that the aircraft was actually on ground but records show it had flown. It is a serious violation,” he said. 05/08/11 Business Standard