Licences of expats are cancelled immediately; Indians are given three chances.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) seems to be going softer on Indian pilots in comparison with expats who are charged with consuming alcohol before or during a flight.
As per a new law being drafted by the DGCA, any Indian pilot or crew member, found positive for consumption of alcohol, will have his/her licence cancelled for three months. In case, the same individual is caught a second time, his/her licence will be cancelled for two years and for five years, the third time.
In contrast, if an expat is caught for the first time, his flying permit will be cancelled and subsequently the licence issuing authority will be informed about the offence, claims the new draft report undersigned by DGCA chief Arun Misra.
As per DGCA guidelines, even when the level of alcohol in the blood is zero, there could be some effects of hangover. These congeners may take 15-18 hours to get dissipated and may produce ill-effects for up to 36 hours, depending upon the amount of alcohol consumed. As a result, pre-flight medical test is compulsory for pilots and crew members.
The new draft follows several recent cases, when pilots and crew members were reported to have consumed alcohol before flying.
In July, Air India pilot was held before taking his flight from Mumbai. Last year, around 12 pilots and crew members from across airlines were found to be alcohol-positive during the pre-flight test. In 2010-11, as many as 57 pilots and crew members were reported to have tested positive.
According to sources, the DGCA is considering appointing an independent body to investigate such cases, which will report directly to the civil aviation ministry.
What’s on board
As per a new law, any Indian pilot or crew member, found positive for consumption of alcohol, will have his/her licence cancelled for three months. In case, the same individual is caught a second time, his/her licence will be cancelled for two years and for five years, the third time.
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