DGCA conducts audit of 33 flying schools, action against 2

Updated on: Thursday, November 24, 2011

Aviation regulator DGCA has found several deficiencies in 33 flying clubs during a nation-wide audit and suspended the approval of two such institutions, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said today.

"The audit was carried out with an aim to ensure that they were functioning as per guidelines and have facilities and system in place for conduct of flying, training and maintenance of aircraft," Ravi said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

He said during the audit, several deficiencies were found like improper or non upkeep of documents, insufficient number of ground instructors, fuel mismanagement and false entries in the authorisation book, non-availability of contingency and emergency plan for accident.

The auditor also found expired first-aid medicines, non maintenance of tarmac and long grass around the taxiways, incursion of runways and no boundary wall around the operational areas. "On the basis of observation, approval was suspended in respect of The Bombay flying Club, Juhu Aerodrome and Birmi Flying Academy Pvt Ltd, Patiala in Punjab," Ravi said.

The audits were carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after many pilots were found to have fudged their log books and used false result cards to obtain an Air Transport Pilot Licence. In reply to a separate question, the Minister said the DGCA has increased the frequency of air safety checks on the airlines due to which number of incidents of safety lapse has come down.

"During 2009, 10 safety lapses were reported which came down to three during 2010 and this year till date only one safety lapses has been reported," Ravi said, adding necessary follow up action has been taken by the DGCA against the airlines during the last three years to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

DGCA conducts audit of 33 flying schools, action against 2

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