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Title : Need to address the grievances of aspiring Indian pilots in the country.
SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL (BULDHANA): I would like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation regarding requirement of pilot in India. Certain airlines operating an aircraft called ‘ATR’ have been granted permission to hire foreign “First Officers” (Co-pilot). The same permission already exists for the position of a “Commander” in all the airlines in our country. Sir, if the above mentioned permission granted for the employment of expatriate First Officers persists, then the future of aspiring pilots does not look bright and favourable in our country.
Sir, Alliance Air which is one amongst the first airlines to operate ATR type of aircrafts, has been flying the aircraft for many years with expatriate commanders. So in a similar situation, after permitting expatriate First Officers to fly in the sensitive areas of our territory wherein now both the pilots (i.e. Commander and First Officer) are expatriates, an issue of National Security raises some sort of concern.
DGCA has increased the fees for the issue of all the civil aviation licences and the fees for the application for the DGCA exams. Further, DGCA does not provide adequate facilities to the candidates. Also, DGCA has not been able to provide a proper, specific and detailed syllabus for the different subjects after conducting the exams for so many years.
DGCA conducts exam every 3 months whereas most of the member countries of ICAO have a facility of providing the examination to the candidate as per the availability of the candidate.
There is a need to increase the medical check up of pilots who desire the professional license.
I would request the Hon’ble Minister through you to address the above mentioned grievances of the aspiring Indian pilots.