Indian pilots

Anticipating pilot shortage, Air India to launch its own training school

Air India's initiative marks a departure from the traditional approach of Indian airlines, which have typically partnered with independent flight schools both domestically and internationally

Air India pilots join Vistara crew in voicing concerns over fatigue, pay

The pilots said they're made to rack up maximum flying hours, face difficulties in having leave approved and deal with unstable rosters, according to the letter dated April 4

'Bonded labour': Air India pilot unions extend support to Vistara

Vistara is a 51:49 joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. Air India is a completely owned airline of the Tata Group. Vistara is in the process of being merged into Air India

Vistara flight cancellations: Why is the airline facing 'crew unavailability'

Pilots body flags deferment of revised duty norms; writes to ministry

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised concerns about aviation regulator DGCA deferring the implementation of the revised flight duty norms for pilots, saying the health of pilots cannot be prejudiced for the commercial benefit of operators. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on March 26, deferred the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms that were to be effective from June 1. The new framework, which would provide more rest hours for pilots, was proposed amid concerns about pilot fatigue. In a letter dated March 28 to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the FIP has flagged concerns about the DGCA decision. "The action of the DGCA not only endangers pilot safety but also undermines the safety of passengers which the implementation of the revised CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) could prevent. "Furthermore, the health and safety of the pilots cannot be prejudiced for the commercial benefit of the operators," the

TMS Ep605: Pilot fatigue, PV inventory, real estate stocks, stock split

How can Indian airlines balance pilot fatigue and profits? Are India's auto dealers facing a problem of plenty? Is it time to book profit in real estate stocks? What is a stock split? All answers here

DGCA issues notice to Air India, SpiceJet for rostering untrained pilots

A senior DGCA official confirmed that the notice was issued to airlines after it was found that a large number of flight diversions that were reported at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi

DGCA transfers two senior officials over allegations of corruption

The regulator's action comes four days after suspending operations at Redbird Flight Training Academy, one of India's largest flight training centres, across all its five training bases in the country

Airline dead set against no-poaching pact for pilots: Akasa Air CEO

Akasa Air might be slowly coming out of the turbulence caused by sudden pilots' exits but the airline's chief Vinay Dube is "dead set against" the idea of having any kind of no-poaching agreement between airlines, asserting that it will not be right. The airline, which has been flying for more than a year, has more than 450 pilots and the number will go up as it expands the fleet from 20 aircraft now. "We had about 330 pilots in April. Approximately, 40 went away without (serving) notice period or with one day, two days or less than 24 hours. Today, we have little over 450 pilots... between April and today, we have probably added about a third of additional pilots despite a small number leaving," Akasa Air Founder and CEO Vinay Dube told PTI. Following the sudden exit of pilots, many of whom apparently joined another carrier, Akasa Air had to cancel some flights in July and August. The carrier's market share also took a hit due to the cancellations. Also, the airline has initiated

Govt amends aircraft rules; commercial pilot license to be valid for 10 yrs

Commercial pilot licenses will now be valid for ten years, with the government amending rules as part of efforts to further improve ease of doing business in the aviation sector. Till now, the validity of Commercial Pilot License (CPL) was for five years and after completion of that period, it had to be renewed. The civil aviation ministry amended the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Among various changes made, the validity of licenses in relation to Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and CPL holders has been increased from five years to ten years. "This change is expected to reduce administrative burden on pilots and aviation authorities like DGCA, promoting a more streamlined and efficient licensing process," the ministry said in a statement on Monday. Besides, rules have been amended to address concerns related to the display of lights in the vicinity of an aerodrome. It has also been clarified that the term 'light' encompasses lantern lights, wish kites, and laser lights. Also, the

DGCA is issuing pilot licenses within indicative timeline, MoCA clarifies

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday said the DGCA is meeting the indicative timelines for the issuance of pilot licences despite an increase in the number of applications. "It is clarified that the application processing time may vary depending upon the complexity and completeness of the application submitted. The indicative timelines published for Issue & Conversion of Commercial Pilot License (CPL) by DGCA is 20 & 30 working days respectively," it said in a statement. According to the ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been meeting the indicative timelines despite an increase in number of applications. "Average timelines achieved for applications during 2023 for CPL Issue & Conversion is 22 and 31 working days". The total number of CPLs issued in 2022 was the highest in the last decade and this number has already been surpassed in September 2023, it added. Further, the statement said the number of CPLs issued is likely to be the ...

Air India pilots suspended for inviting woman friend into cockpit

The Air India management suspended the two pilots after receiving a complaint from the cabin crew about the cockpit violation

Air India suspends two pilots for allowing unauthorised woman into cockpit

Following recent breach of cockpit norms, Air India has taken disciplinary action against two pilots who permitted an unauthorised woman to enter cockpit of flight AI-445, operating from Delhi to Leh

Pilot suspensions rose 2x in 2022 for violating safety norms: DGCA

A DGCA official stated that the minimum period of licence suspension in 2022 was one month and the maximum was three years

The sky is the limit: How these Indian women pilots smashed a male monopoly

From Sarla Thukral flying planes before independence to Abhilasha Barak becoming a combat aviator in the Army Aviator Corps, these are the women who have paved the way for Sania Mirza and more

Air India pilot refuses to fly dog; Here are the rules for flying pets

He said that the airline staff told him that the commander of the flight was not okay with the pet being on board and refused permission

SpiceJet sends 80 pilots on leave without pay for three mths to prune costs

Loss making airline is currently operating less than half its flights, following a July 27 DGCA order brought on by a spate of incidents

At 12.4 per cent, India has twice the number of female pilots as the US

Statistics raise questions about how a nation, placed 135th among 146 countries on the World Economic Forum's ranking of nations based on gender parity, was able to reverse the trend in the industry

IndiGo hikes pilot salaries by a further 8%, restores overtime allowance

The airline has made changes to its HR policies to reinstate the work pattern of crew under which they will earn more, but there will be fewer leaves

IndiGo to restore allowances for crew from July 31 as flight ops recover

The airline, which had made a partial reinstatement of salary for pilots, is yet to restore pre-covid salaries.