The government is likely to direct private unscheduled operators to ground aircraft that have been in operation for more than 20 years. The measure comes close on the heels of the crash of the chartered Cessna aircraft near Bangalore.
According to officials, the airworthiness certification process is likely to be made more stringent. "A number of guidelines and circulars have been issued in the past for ensuring safety in air operations by small aircraft and helicopters. Analyses of earlier accidents related to the operation of small aircraft from improvised airstrips reveal that instructions are violated repeatedly," said a civil aviation ministry official.
The government would take a final call on the issue in the next few days, the official said. Besides, in the light of increased chartering of aircraft during elections, the civil aviation ministry has come out with a set of guidelines for the operation of small aircraft.
"For ensuring adequate safety, such operators should ensure that whenever their aircraft and helicopters are hired for such purposes, it should be airworthy and meet all mandatory requirements before flying. Their flying crew should also be certified for operating such flights," the new guidelines, prescribed by the Director General of Civil Aviation, say.
According to the norms, all non-scheduled operators and pilots when operating flights carrying VIPs and SPG protected persons and other persons of eminence, must ensure the existence of a suitable helipad at the point of landing.
It should also be the duty of the operator to ensure that the approach and take-off areas are clear of obstacles like trees and high-tension wires and that adequate safety measures during landings and take-off are ensured.
It is also directed that the flight crew should ensure helicopter rotors and aircraft propellers should come to complete stop before permitting embarking and disembarking of passengers.
In case passengers are accommodated on the co-pilot seat, flight crew and operators should ensure deactivation of duplicate controls as per the instructions in vogue.
Prior to the flight, passengers are to be briefed on safety aspects like fastening of seat belts and no smoking rules. "The quality of fuel in case of re-fuelling is to be ensured and adequate fuel is to be lifted," the guidelines state.
The operators must also ensure that the aircraft and helicopter is free from any defect and proper rectification and maintenance procedures are followed.
Flying low
- Airworthiness certification process likely to be made more stringent.
- The civil aviation ministry has also come out with a set of guidelines for operating smaller aircraft.
- The norms include the provisions of a suitable helipad at the point of landing, clear approach and take-off areas and use of quality fuel.
