DGCA pave way for more desi pilots

New Delhi: In a move to pave the way for desi pilots, Indian carriers will now be able to hire foreign pilots only by submitting a phasing out plan for them, as also making clear the induction and training plans for Indian fliers.
DGCA norms stipulate that there should be three sets of crew (a pilot and co-pilot) for each aeroplane but scheduled Indian carriers keep five sets. With India having 312 planes, the total current strength required is about 3,120.
“Of the 3,120 pilots required, 804 are foreigners. Some airlines face a shortage because they hire commercial pilot licence holders but don’t train them for several months, making them captive fliers,” said a senior official.
On their part, airlines say they would hire Indian pilots depending on the availability.
“DGCA has issued a circular on the issue, asking all airlines’ their plan for phasing out expat pilots. We will employ as many Indian pilots as available. But given the growth projections, airlines may not be able to have just Indian fliers,” said Kingfisher’s executive vice president Hitesh Patel.
SpiceJet’s executive chairman Siddhantha Sharma said a number of Indians were working as first officers and would be upgraded to captain’s post as and when they get the required experience.
Foreign pilots are allowed to fly in India under the “foreign air crew temporary authorization (FATA)” given by the DGCA. This is initially a two-year permission to fly here, a period that can be extended later.
DGCA’s swadeshi flight comes at a time when the US has also relaxed its upper age limit for flyers. Following the Indian rules, it has also allowed a pilot to fly till the age of 65 but subject to the condition that one of the two pilots in the cockpit is below 60. This move, said industry sources, could either stem the flow of old pilots from US and even see some of them flying in India returning home.
13/01/08 Times of India