Flying over rules

Wise old people would tell you that accidents don’t just happen; they are caused. They are caused by a combination of factors that start to converge in time and space. Aircraft accidents, such as Saturday’s tragic crash which killed Kannada film star, Soundarya and three others, are no different except that the variables are that many more. And these variables increase tremendously when small private aircraft operate singly or in small units autonomously without means of direct supervision that exists in airlines and air forces. Civil aviation policy must address this crucial issue if we are to ensure professional standards in private flying.

The challenges to maintain safety standards by single and small operators of aircraft are numerous and unique, which go well beyond the legalistic bureaucratic role of the regulatory authority like the DGCA; and it is by no means certain that we have adequately addressed them. Accident prevention must go beyond the post-accident investigation and adding more pages to the rulebook. The question that we must ask is whether flying safety is adequately addressed in our system of private civil flying. For example, how are we ensuring that pilot standardisation, engineers’ skills, and operating procedures are vigorously followed and subject to regular monitoring?

This, in turn, raises questions of flying training of private pilots. Most flying clubs are in a state of neglect and no doubt badly need a standardisation system to check the quality of teaching and learning. Regular testing of skills and knowledge of teachers and students by a standing qualified independent examining agency is particularly vital, especially for inexperienced pilots beyond the annual revalidation of licences. It is not our intention to outline the steps that must be taken to ensure better quality of flying safety. But the lessons are very clear: We urgently need an independent committee to look at the overall flying safety system related to general aviation and small aircraft/helicopter operations. At the same time it is necessary to set up an independent air transport safety board directly under the cabinet secretariat, if flying safety is to be improved.