In line with its bold, new anti-hijack policy, the Government has made it mandatory for all passenger aircraft with seating capacity of over 60 to have special bullet-proof cockpit doors that can survive even a grenade explosion.The revised norms recently issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation state that the cockpit or crew compartment door should be designed to ‘‘resist penetration by small arms, grenade shrapnel and forcible intrusion by unauthorised persons’’.The norms require the door to be kept locked soon after embarkation proceedings have been completed. To ensure that access is limited while in flight, sources said, aircraft operators have been advised to have a remote locking system with the controls located next to the pilots.Before the start of a flight, the pilots and the cabin crew will agree to a code that can be used for access. The order also makes it necessary for the operator have ‘‘discreet’’ means of communication between the cabin crew and cockpit staff for them to alert each other in case of a security breach or suspicious activity.Besides, the DGCA has recommended that pilots should be able monitor activity outside the cockpit door. Essentially, this means that video cameras should be installed outside the door and screens located inside the cockpit for the pilots to visually check any person trying to gain access.This has already been installed in some of the Airbus 320s recently leased by Indian Airlines. It may be recalled that the new anti-hijack policy adopted by the government is in favour of having a secret communication mechanism between the pilots and cabin crew.Further, the Government has made it mandatory for all airline operators to have on board a checklist of procedures that need to be followed for seeking out bombs, explosives, concealed weapons or other dangerous devices. This can be useful to a tackle a situation of suspected sabotage.Guidance on steps to take in case such an object is found will also be placed aboard by the airline operator from now on.The DGCA has made it compulsory for operators to hold a detailed security training course for its crew. The course will, in particular, address the following:• Crew communication and co-ordination• Appropriate self defence responses• Use of non-lethal protective devices like various sprays that can be supplied to immobilise an intruder• Training to understand behaviour of terrorists that can improve ability of crew to deal with possible hijack situation• Live situational training exercises under various threat conditionsThe order, which was formalised on Monday, is to be followed with immediate effect.
