DGCA sets up permanent panel to update aviation rules

With a surge in air traffic and consequent congestion in air and ground, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has set up a permanent advisory panel for review and updation of all rules and regulations in the light of rapidly changing aviation scenario.

The panel would review regulations in the entire range of areas, including airworthiness, flight operations, flight safety, aerodromes, air transport services and navigation, official sources said.

It would also deal with areas such as licensing of pilots, air traffic controllers and other personnel. The Aviation Regulations Advisory Panel (ARAP) would recommend changes to bring the regulations on par with the existing international practices as well as the rapid advances in technology.

The need to set up the ARAP was felt after a number of new regulations were framed in the 1990s to regulate operations and safety of aviation caused by liberalisation and deregulation of domestic air transport scene. But there was no proper structured system or mechanism of updating the existing regulations, the sources said.

As review and updating of a very large number of rules, regulations and procedures cannot be undertaken by the regulatory body alone, the DGCA has decided to involve the stake-holders in the aviation sector also, the sources said.