Why watchdog finds it tough to lure pros

Manpower crunch is not the only problem plaguing the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA). It doesn’t even have the right people for crucial departments like safety, says an Air India pilot who has also worked with the DGCA.

Adhocism, low salaries and lack of job security have kept efficient and experienced professionals away from the DGCA. A May 8 vacancy circular posted by K Unnikrishnan, dy director, administration, DGCA, a copy of which is with DNA, explains the sorry state of affairs.  

For senior group A posts, DGCA has only ‘short-term contract’ options. “Retired government employees, who are below the age of 65, can apply. The period of contract is likely to be one year,” says the circular.

The package for the same posts is also not inspiring.  A senior airworthiness officer, with seven years of experience, will get only Rs3.6 lakh per annum. The critical post of director, air safety, attracts a salary of Rs6 lakh a year. An air safety officer gets Rs3 lakh per year, the circular reveals.

The best offer is for a flight operations inspector. Such an inspector ensures your flight is safe and well-equipped to fly.

A flight operations inspector requires: an airline transport pilot’s licence with an open rating to fly aeroplanes weighing 5,700 kg and having a pilot-in-command rating for B737 or other civil transport aircraft, approved by the DGCA; total flying experience of not less than 9,000 hours; and instructional flying experience of not less than 1,000 hours including multi-engine aircraft.

Inspectors with the kind of experience listed out by the DGCA should, as per norms, get not less than Rs24 lakh per annum but the DGCA pays only Rs6 lakh per annum for the job.
That is the reason why DGCA is struggling with armchair experts on one side and retired ones on the other, say people familiar with the situation.