There is good news for pilots. Civil aviation regulator DGCA has amended the duty rules to give more rest to the pilots, so that they do not get too tired. This will limit their working hours in the cockpit at night. The DGCA has also made it mandatory for airlines to submit reports every three months on fatigue reports filed by pilots. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said last Monday that he wants to limit the number of flights made by a pilot.
Action after complaints from a large number of pilots
This action by the DGCA comes after a large number of pilots complained that they were being pressurized by the airlines by using the regulator’s soft rules. In August last year, an IndiGo pilot died of a sudden heart attack at Nagpur airport minutes before the flight was to operate. According to the news of Economic Times, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that this change is as per international norms. He says that the country is ready to achieve the title of the largest domestic aviation market in the future.
increased rest periods
Scindia said that after a thorough analysis of pilot rosters, reports related to fatigue and direct feedback from pilots, we have introduced new rules which include increasing the rest period, redefining night duty and sharing of information by airlines. Regular fatigue reports are included. The minister also said the regulator will soon implement a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS), which will be a data-driven approach to enhance monitoring of flight crew member fatigue.
What amendments have been made in the rules?
According to the new rules, DGCA has reduced the maximum flight duty period for a pilot flying at night from 13 to 10 hours, which is between 12 midnight to 6 am. DGCA has also said that a pilot can make a maximum of two landings during that period. The definition of night has also been amended, which now includes 12 midnight to 6 am instead of 12 midnight to 5 am under the previous rules.
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