After a series of accidents and incidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has audited 30 flying training organisations (FTOs) since March 21 and found them violating multiple safety regulations. The DGCA found in the audit that "the facilities at the airfield/training organization are not being maintained as per the requirements — runway surface was found worn out, wind sock was found torn or nonstandard."
“False logging was observed in a few cases where dual flight had been logged as solo flight and in a few other cases the taxi time was calculated towards the instrument flying of the student pilot. Deficiencies,” it added.
Based on the findings of this audit and probes into recent crashes, the DGCA said it has initiated “enforcement action (like issuing) warning letter to two accountable managers; suspension orders to two CFIs for a year, two CFIs for three months, one deputy CFI for a year, two deputy CFI for three months, one AFI for three months and one student for 3 months.” The approval of one FTO has been suspended. Enforcement actions against other individuals/ FTOs are at various stages, it noted.
The pre-flight alcohol test regulations were not followed at multiple FTOs, it said. As per the audit findings, few of the instructors, student pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers did not undergo BA (breathalyser) test or submit undertaking prior to commencement of duty/exercise of privileges.
In a few cases, the testing equipment being used were not in compliance with the requirements or calibrated as required, it added.
"In addition, approval of one FTO has been suspended. Enforcement actions against other individuals/ FTOs are at various stages," it added.
“Deficiencies in the ground training of student pilot i.e., overlap of flying training and ground training, lack of arrangement for ground training, not having the required instructors. Deficiencies in flying training procedures and their implementation i.e., student pilots not appropriately briefed and trained on emergencies/essential exercises
before being released for solo flights/cross country, adhocism in allocation of trainers as trainers are frequently changed and thereby affecting the learning experience of student pilots,” it said.
According to the DGCA, of the 32 functional FTOs, 39 schools have been audited. The audit was conducted to assess safety standards and systemic deficiencies in operations, maintenance and training.