RECORD OF DISCUSSIONS (RoD) OF THE MEETING
HELD UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SECRETARY
(CA) ON 20TH DECEMBER 2024 TO DISCUSS ON
ISSUES OF FLYING TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS
(FTOs)
A meeting to discuss on issues of FTOs and suggestions for
optimizing flying training in India was held under the
chairmanship of Secretary (CA) on 20.12.2024.
2. Following officers were present in the meeting:-
i. Shri Madhu Sudana Sankar, Joint Secretary - Ministry of
Civil Aviation
ii. Ms. Tuhinanshu Sharma, Joint Director General (JDG) -
DGCA
iii. Shri Maneesh Kumar, JDG - DGCA
iv. Shri Kumar Saurabh Raj, Deputy Secretary - Ministry of
Civil Aviation
v. Shri Ajit Koshy, Director (Ops), DFT- DGCA
vi. Capt. Mandar Mahajan, DFT (CONST.)- DGCA
vii. Shri PC Paliwal, Deputy Director (Ops)- DGCA
viii. Shri HVP Singh, President-AFTO
ix. Shri YN Sharma, CEO, Chimes Group
x. Capt. Mamatha, CEO&CFI
3. The representatives of FTOs and associations
conveyed issues faced by them, apart from the issues
related to the provisions proposed under the draft CAR
Section 7 Series I Part V published by DGCA. The agenda
wise minutes are as follows:-
i. De-linking of examiner function from Chief Flying
Instructor (CFI)/Deputy CFI. (Proposed under the
draft CAR Section 7 Series I Part V)
FTOs conveyed that the availability of CFIs and Dy. CFIs
is limited causing delay in skill tests of FIs. DGCA
apprised the chair that under the new draft CAR, they
have proposed that Dedicated Examiner (DE) will be
given privileges to conduct skill checks for issuance of
Flying Instructor (FI) ratings. The Chair took note of
issue and suggested necessary CAR amendment.
Decision:- DGCA to go ahead with the necessary
CAR amendments.
ii. Mandatory hull insurance
FTOs stated that in wake of recent accidents in flying
training, the insurance premium has increased
substantially. They stated the present requirement of
mandatory Hull insurance for aircraft is very costly for
FTOs. This has severely affected their commercial
feasibility. The Chair was apprised that FTOs are ready
to bear the loss of the hull in case of any accident.
However, they shall continue to comply with insurance
for pilots, passengers and third-Party coverage as a
mandatory requirement.
Decision:- DGCA to review the requirement in
consultation with MoCA and other stakeholders
iii. DGCA’s standard of service and timelines
document
FTOs expressed their concern on the conformity to
timelines and standards of service delivery by DGCA. It
was requested to implement DGCA’s “Indicative
Timelines” / “Standards of Service” document. DGCA
conveyed that such system is already in place, however,
the same will be reviewed and put in public domain for
ready reference.
Decision- The chair directed to review the DGCA’s
“Indicative Timelines” / “Standards of Service”
document and incorporated the same into an
online Tracker Portal within two months.
iv. Ground school training
The FTOs stated that Pilot has two parts viz. flying
training and ground school training. While, the flying
training is essentially undertaken at FTOs, there is no
such mandate under the present regulations for
students to undertake the ground training from FTOs.
As such, they are attending private coaching centres to
prepare for the subjects and appear for DGCA’s exams.
This has adversely affected the quality of training.
In the matter, DGCA conveyed that earlier a
requirement of furnishing a certificate of ground
training from FTOs was in place, however, this was
exploited by few FTOs. Further, DGCA conveyed that
there is nothing in the present provisions stopping the
FTOs from having their own ground training. As such,
IGRUA has its own ground training school mandated
for its trainees.
Further in this connection, the FTOs stated that they
can utilize a pool of trainers on the basis of a
cooperative arrangement between various DGCA
approved FTOs to conduct ground training.
Decision:- Joint Secretary (MSS) to chair meeting
to look into the modalities of Ground schools and
the issue of mandating ground school training
from FTOs.
v. Qualifications and requirements for Safety
Manager
Concern was raised by the FTOs that despite best
efforts for rope in safety managers in the FTOs, they
were finding it very difficult to engage them. This is on
account of existing requirements for selection of Safety
Managers in FTOs prescribed by DGCA.
AAIB in this regard informed the Chair that Gatishakti
Institute is providing a two weeks training for safety
managers in aviation. The FTOs can explore the
feasibility of utilizing the training module.
Decision:- Joint Secretary (MSS) to chair meeting
to look into the requirements for selection of
Safety Managers to make them more specific.
vi. Visibility requirements for Flying Training (Table
Agenda with the permission of Chair)
The FTOs stated that given the restrictive climatic
conditions for flying training in the country, they are
finding it difficult to optimize the flying training hours.
Since the aircraft involved in flying training are smaller
and fly in limited zones (distance & altitude etc.),
therefore, FTOs requested to keep the Visual Flight
Rule (VFR) criteria for flying training activities
separate from the normal aircraft operations. The
present requirement of 5000 meters visibility can be
reviewed and reduced to 3000 meters.
DGCA informed that such requirements have emanated
from AAIBs recommendations in wake of recent
accidents in FTOs. DGCA informed the Chair that a
draft CAR proposing changes in such requirements is
ready and the same shall be circulated shortly for the
stakeholders to offer their comments and further
finalization.
Decision:- DGCA assured to finalise at the earliest.
vii. Deputy CFI to authorize flying training activities
for 12 months. (Proposed under the draft CAR
Section 7 Series I Part V) (Table Agenda with the
permission of Chair)
FTOs stated that earlier, in the absence of CFI, the Dy.
CFIs were allowed to exercise the privileges without any
restriction. However, in the newly proposed draft CAR,
such exercise has been limited to 12 months period.
This will affect the training schedule since the minimum
duration to fulfil the requirements for a Dy. CFI to
become a CFI is more than one year, in ideal situation
only.
DGCA in the matter stated that the provision of
allowing Dy. CFI in place of CFI was kept as a
facilitative/stop gap mechanism and it does not imply
that the FTO can function without CFIs. Hence, DGCA
expressed that all the FTOs should strive to engage a
full-time CFI.
Decision:- JS (MSS) and JDG, DGCA to discuss
details with Secretary for identifying optima
future course of action.
viii. Virtual Interview of Post Holders viz. CFIs, Dy.
CFIs & Safety Managers etc.
Citing increased availability and enhanced flexibility of
interview slots, the issue of conduct of virtual interviews
in place of personal interviews for post holders in FTOs
was raised by the industry representatives. DGCA pointed
that personal interview is a desirable step for selection of
such post holders. However, DGCA was directed to adopt
video recording of all ORAL TESTS. DGCA agreed to
implement such system shortly.
Decision:- DGCA to implement video recording of all
interviews/ oral tests.
4. The meeting ended with a VOTE OF THANKS to the
chair.
