Not all instructors or pilots lack credibility: DGCA training chief

In the wake of fake pilot license scam that shook the entire country, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) decided to hire 420 personnel in its flying training directorate as some of the flying training schools (FTS) were also found helping students login more hours than they had actually flown.  DNA speaks to recently appointed Capt Yashraj Tongia, director, flying training, DGCA.

What is your role?
I will be responsible for directorate of flying training in the office of DGCA. This will include granting of approval to training organisations, instructors, issue of circulars and matters related to flying training.

What changes do you intend to bring about?
First of all, I will make every effort to make India a destination for pilot training. Of 1,500 commercial pilot liecences (CPLs) issued in the country every year, 70% are trained abroad. On the other hand, not a single student from a foreign country comes to India for training. Even a country like Philippines is attracting Indian students. We have excellent weather that is conducive to flying training. We have good instructors and there is interest among investors in this sector, so there is no reason why the scenario should not change. I would like to introduce best international practices in India.

With the pilot license scam in the background, there is a question mark over the credibility of flying schools. How do you intend to address the stigma?
I do not think there is any question mark over the credibility of flying schools. The cases that have come to light are related to forgery of documents by specific individuals. The authorities have taken stringent action against the perpetrators. They have also overhauled the license document verification system. It is unfair to conclude that all the instructors or the pilot community lacks credibility. Lack of manpower and automation was one of the main drawbacks in the system. In 2000, only 200 CPLs were issued a year, as against 1,500 in 2010. One has to increase manpower or go for automation. Unfortunately, neither has happened till now, but both are underway.

Do you think flying training schools in India meet global standards?
There are 40 flying schools in India and more than 700 in USA. Be it India or any other country, you will always find flying schools with different standards. Globally, most of the airlines have cadet pilot programs where the training of cadets is airline funded, unlike the self-funded programs in India. Airline funding has got two advantages, the selection of cadet is done based on intellectual merit and not financial capabilities. I hope this will happen in India soon.