Flying club targets aviation authorities

MUMBAI, MARCH 27: Aviation experts and the Bombay Flying Club BFC management have accused civil aviation authorities of indifference' ...

MUMBAI, MARCH 27: Aviation experts and the Bombay Flying Club BFC management have accused civil aviation authorities of indifference8217; and stifling the growth of the BFC, the oldest flying club in Asia.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the BFC at the Juhu aerodrome today to create awareness regarding the increasing problems being faced by the club, experts also expressed concern over the manner in which the country8217;s air space, especially over Mumbai, had been 8220;departmentalised8221; between various agencies, including the Indian Air Force. 8220;I feel that airspace belongs exclusively to certain agencies and is controlled by a handful of individuals. Despite having very clear-cut Air Traffic Rules and legislations governing civil aviation, the sharing of airspace has always been a cause of concern,8221; said Group Captain Arjun Das, who is based at the IAF8217;s radar installation at Madh.

He explained that till such time as one doesn8217;t understand that airspace belongs to one and all connected with flying,8220;including those who jump out of the plane in mid-flight for the thrill of sky-diving,8221; the problems faced by the BFC will not be resolved and will continue to be ignored by the authorities.

Former chairman and managing director of Indian Airlines, Air Marshal S S Ramdas retd said the Airports Authority of India AAI, Air Traffic Controllers ATCs and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA have put 8220;ridiculous and completely unnecessary restrictions8221; on the BFC8217;s functioning.

Terming the approach of the ATCs in treating all the BFC8217;s flights on the lowest priority as negative8217;, Air Marshal Ramdas said it was high time a solution was found, 8220;so that pilots are not made to wait for hours till somebody in the air traffic control tower finishes his cup of tea.8221;He added, 8220;It is a real pity that while India has one of the best flying schools like the BFC here, young students go the US or Australia to get their flying licences. It is a matter of shame, especially when India has the requiredinfrastructure, but it has remained underutilised due to the negative approach of the authorities8230; Instead of creating hurdles, the Government and other agencies should render their wholehearted support and even subsidise the fuel used by the aircraft owned by flying clubs.8221;He suggested that pressure groups comprising experts be formed and all those interested in aviation take up the issue at the highest levels.

Director of Airworthiness, P K Chattopadhayay, who represented the DGCA, withstood the attack on the authorities by several speakers and suggested that the problems of non-availability of aircraft and aerodromes and the high cost of fuel be resolved first to ensure the betterment of flying clubs.Chief Flight Instructor of the BFC, Captain A Bodas, had a sardonic observation to make: Instead of increasing the number of flights being operated by the BFC due to technological advancement in radars and other communication systems, he said, the ATCs have actually reduced the number of flights operatedby the club. 8220;Previously, when communication networks and radar facilities were not so advanced, there used to be three aircraft simultaneously operating in the circuit, but with upgradation of navigational aids, the ATCs allow only one flight at a time,8221; he said.Incidentally, the AAI, which came in for the maximum criticism for meting out step-motherly treatment8217; to the BFC, did not send any representative to the meeting.