The Hindu Business Line : Changes in pilot training planned

With inclement weather affecting normal operations of airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a proposal that would ensure that pilot training syllabus includes automatic training for operation of flights in Category-II instrument landing system.

The acceptance of the proposal will mitigate the problems airlines face in operating flights in low visibility condition to a large extent.

"We are thinking on these lines," the Director General Civil Aviation, Mr K. Gohain said at a press conference.

In addition, the DGCA was also examining a proposal on whether to relax the flight take-off norms so as to allow aircraft to operate during low runway visibility conditions. "The proposal is on the drawing board. We have had meetings with the airlines and are also studying the regulations prevalent in other countries before taking a final view. One thing is certain safety will not be compromised in any way," Mr Gohain added.

The DGCA has also initiated other measures such as allowing the larger Boeing 747 to land during inclement weather so that it helps clear the runways visibility for smaller aircraft to take off.

Meanwhile, low visibility conditions prevailed over Delhi airport for more than 11 hours thereby affecting normal airline operations. "From about 10 p.m. on 26 December till about 9.45 the next morning the weather conditions at Delhi airport were affected. However, the airport managed to operate 51 flights including handling four domestic arrivals and 12 departures apart from handling 35 international arrivals and departures. 31 flights including six international flights had to be diverted," Mr Gohain said.

The situation on the railway tracks was no better, with the Northern Railways having to reschedule six trains even as 14 trains arrived late till late this afternoon. "The delay in the arrival of these fourteen trains ranges from one hour to over 10 hours," the Railways said in a statement.

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