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Journalism of Courage
Helicopter and aircraft operators have been asked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to obtain in writing the co-ordinates of their landing areas from the district administration before embarking on any election flight. With operators busy reaping a bonanza from the massive hiring by political parties this poll season, there has been concern whether safety norms are being followed.
Through a circular issued today, the DGCA made it clear that it is the operators’ responsibility to obtain the landing co-ordinates in advance and in writing. The circular will also be sent to the Home Ministry so that it can alert the districts. This aims to remove the tendency among operators to land their aircraft in any makeshift helipad or airstrip.
Further, the DGCA has told operators to ensure in case the co-pilot’s seat is occupied by a passenger, then the duplicate controls are to be deactivated.
The DGCA has cautioned operators against ignoring laid down norms. ‘‘Analysis of earlier accidents associated with helicopters and small aircraft operations from improvised helipads and airstrips revealed that laid-down instructions were violated time and again, and safety was jeopardised,’’ reads the DGCA circular.
In the set of guidelines issued two months ago, the DGCA reduced the periodicity of maintenance checks from every 30 days to 15 days.
The concern is not without reason. Since April 29 last year, 10 chopper accidents have been reported. Aviation experts say in a country where there are only 120-odd choppers, the accident rate is extremely high.
