Mumbai/New Delhi, March 27 The DGCA, aviation regulator, issued guidelines for aircraft operators flying VIPs and VVIPs, including chief ministers and governors, on Friday, emphasizing that the crew should not be subjected to any undue pressure when operating a flight that might impact safety.
The guidelines, applicable for non-scheduled aircraft and helicopter operators carrying VVIPs, also come in the wake of the fatal plane crash in January that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.
The DGCA said that the aircraft operator should ensure that flight operations comply with the Aircraft Rules and instructions/orders/circulars issued from time to time, and that the flight crew is not subjected to undue pressure when undertaking a flight that may impact the safety of operations.
"Any last-minute changes to the planned flight due to VIP requirements should be coordinated through the organization's management only, and not directly with the crew," it said.
Issuing the guidelines, the DGCA also said that an analysis of earlier accidents/incidents associated with aircraft operations to/from airstrips/temporary helipads and during election flying of VVIPs has often revealed violations of instructions and safety has been jeopardized.
"It is essential that all concerned take adequate measures to ensure the highest standards of safety for the operation of such flights," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.
With respect to election flying, the watchdog said that each operator should nominate a responsible person for managing such flights, and the person would be accountable for ensuring compliance with all instructions issued by the authorities concerned.
The person would have to follow the instructions issued by the DGCA, AAI (Airports Authority of India), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and the Election Commission.
The person's particulars should be submitted to the Flight Standards Directorate, DGCA, before commencement of election flying, as per the order.
The Pilot In Command (PIC) of a non-scheduled aircraft flying VVIPs should have a total experience of at least 3,000 flying hours, and in the case of helicopters, it has to be 2,000 flying hours experience.
"Election flying is a highly demanding exercise in terms of skill levels, professionalism and tact," the regulator said, mentioning various challenges in this regard, including long flying hours, a large number of take-offs and landings, hurriedly prepared helipads, frequent changes in itinerary and highly stressed security arrangements.
According to the order, the operator's accountable manager should inform the person being flown to respect the decisions taken by the flight crew, aircraft maintenance engineers and other professionals involved in flight planning and dispatch.
The decisions taken by them regarding continuation, diversion or aborting of the flight should be respected, and the crew must remain free from any external pressure of undue influence, as per the order.
Among other requirements, the flight crew should ensure strict compliance with weather minima and proper weather briefing before commencement of flights as per existing regulations.