Airlines lacking CAT III trained pilots in trouble

With winter fast approaching, the government has decided to crack the whip on airlines that fail to appoint the required number of pilots adequately trained to navigate jets in thick fog.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) held a meeting on Monday to review the preparedness of the airlines.
“The airlines, who fall short of the required number of pilots trained in CAT II and CAT III instrument landing systems (ILS), would either have to voluntarily reschedule their flights that land and take off from the Delhi airport during day time when the visibility is much higher or employ more trained pilots,” said a top civil aviation ministry official.
In the case of private airlines, most pilots are trained in CAT II. A CEO of a private low-cost airline said the DGCA circular issued last year makes it mandatory for all operators to qualify for CAT I for one year and within the next six months CAT II training has to be given.
An airline has to invest Rs 7,50,000 per head in training their pilots, besides the recurring costs of Rs 2,50,000 annually per pilot to keep the licence running.
31/10/06 Gaurav Choudhury/Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline