Court seeks explanation from DGCA on transit check move

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from director general of civil aviation (DGCA) on the amendment that allowed maintenance and certification of aircraft by pilots instead of engineers during transit checks.
Justice BD Ahmad sought a reply within four weeks and posted the matter for hearing on September 11. The court wanted to know why the amendment should not be set aside.
Advocate ML Lahoty appearing for the All India Aircraft Engineers’ Association and Air India Aircraft Engineers’ Association said the transit inspection authority given to pilots is contradictory to the Aircraft Act of 1934, the Aircraft Rules of 1937 and Civil Aviation requirements.
The reason for the amendment seems to be hectic lobbying by private operators for economising their costs by not engaging qualified trained licensed aircraft engineers, said Mr Lahoty.
“The complexity and sophistication in terms of safety and sophistication in aviation technology need to be seriously understood in terms of safety and airworthiness and not on basis of economic consideration,” read the petition. The technical aspects of transit checking are better understood by experts engineers, said the petitioner.
07/05/07 Sanjay K Singh/Economic Times

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Categories: Air India May 2007, General Aviation May 2007, Safety May 2007