Audit reveals 320 pilots flew planes with lapsed Pilot Proficiency Check in 2014

As many as 320 pilots flew aircraft with lapsed Pilot Proficiency Check in 2014 with 219 of them belonging to private airlines and 101 to Air India, Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

During DGCA audit of training facilities of airlines in 2014, it was found that maximum numbers of violation were done by Jet Airways with 130 of its pilots flying without the mandatory check, followed by Air India 101 pilots, Air India Express 70, Spicejet 10 and IndiGo nine, civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in a written reply.

The aviation regulator directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has taken enforcement action against these pilots including suspension of privilege of the licences and issue of warning letters, the minister said.

"It was found that some pilots have flown the aircraft with lapsed Pilot Proficiency Check during DGCA audit of training facilities of airlines in 2014 against which action was taken by the DGCA," he said.

The minister also informed that 19 cases related to obtaining pilot licences by producing fake documents by trainee pilots were found by chief flying instructor of Rajasthan Flying School of Jaipur and 17 cases were found in which pilot have obtained licences on the basis of fake central examination office (CEO) marksheet.

However, no such cases have come to the notice of DGCA in the current year, he said. "Cases related to fake flying hours of trainee pilots by chief flying instructor of the flying school are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Licences of 14 pilots have been suspended while the suspension of five pilots was revoked, based on the investigation of ACB, Rajasthan," he said.

In cases related to fake result sheet, licences of 15 pilots were suspended, while in remaining two cases the trainee pilots were debarred from obtain Indian licence.
"These cases have been handed over to Delhi Police for further investigation," the Minister said.

Responding to a question on action taken by DGCA to avoid forgery in obtaining a pilot licence, the Minister informed the House that the regulator cross verifies the authenticity of the result from its examination division.

For conversion of foreign licences into Indian licences, they are now verified from the concerned regulatory authority of the state issuing the foreign licence.

Also, the skill test on the aircraft, required to be endorsed, have to be done in India in addition to the flying test done abroad, Raju said.