DGCA proposes pre-flight breath analyser test for all crew

DGCA
DGCA

New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) In a bid to make air travel more
safe, the Civil Aviation regulator has suggested that pilots
and cabin crew of all domestic and international flights
operated by Indian carriers be subjected to compulsory
pre-flight breath analyser test.
According to a new draft which is an extension of Civil
Aviation Requirement of 2009 issued by the India's Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), all crew of such flights
originating in India as well as foreign destinations should be
subjected to preflight medical check-up (PFMC) for consumption
of alcohol.
Presently, only 60 per cent of the crew, both cabin as
well as cockpit, undergo random checks by scheduled operators.
The drive is intensified only during festive and new year
season.
"For scheduled operator this percentage shall be on daily
basis and for other operators like non-scheduled ones, air
taxi operators, state government aircraft operators and
private category operators, the percentage is be worked out
on a 15-calender day basis," says the draft CAR released by
DGCA chief Nasim Zaidi.
The cabin crew will be subjected to the test twice during
a flight. If any member tests positive, he or she will not be
allowed to operate the flight. Even if any of the crew refuses
to undergo the PFMC, he or she will be considered
alco-positive, says the CAR.
The DGCA has also proposed tough action on those who fail
to clear the breath-analyser test.
For first time offenders or if any of the crew refuses
to undergo PFMC or breath-analyser test, then "he or she
will be kept off-duty and his license will be suspended for a
period of three months."
And the licence of the crew will be "permanently
cancelled" if they are tested positive during the PFMC for a
second time.
"Any member attempting to evade the test procedure by
leaving airport premises before undergoing the complete test
procedure will be considered to have tested positive," the new
proposal says.
In case of an instructor or examiner or check crew, if
tested positive during the PFMC then they will loose their
rating for at least three years.
The DGCA has also proposed a post flight medical check
on the crew, which should be done during their duty hours
after disembarkation of passengers, and if found guilty their
licence will be surrendered forthwith. PTI SMJ
MRD


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