Regulatory Action: DGCA Observes IndiGo Employing Unqualified Flight Simulators for Pilot Training
IndiGo, one of India's leading airlines, has received a show-cause notice from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for allegedly using non-qualified simulators for training pilots to operate at critical airports. The airports in question are Kozhikode (Calicut), Leh, and Kathmandu, each with unique challenges due to their difficult terrain or unusual runway characteristics.
The DGCA's allegations against IndiGo's training practices violate the provisions of the Civil Aviation Rules (CAR). The regulations require the use of simulators qualified for the specific airport environment, replicating local terrain, weather, and procedural complexities. These simulators should also be certified and validated to ensure pilots can train under realistic conditions that replicate these airports before actual flight operations.
The specific requirements for simulator training at critical airports include training for Category C operations, which require high levels of skill due to challenging airfield characteristics like short runways, table-top layouts, high altitudes, or difficult approaches.
IndiGo conducted critical airfield simulator training for around 1,700 pilots using simulators that were not qualified for operations at these challenging airports. The Kozhikode airport, for instance, has a table-top runway, posing unique challenges for pilots due to the risk of overruns and an optical illusion caused by its elevated position. The Leh airport, situated at 10,682 feet (3,256 meters) above sea level, requires specialized pilot training due to lower air pressure and reduced oxygen levels affecting aircraft performance. The Kathmandu airport, like Kozhikode and Leh, presents unique challenges for pilots, although the nature of those challenges was not specified in the current paragraph.
The consequences for training pilots on non-qualified simulators include regulatory actions, potential grounding or restrictions on pilot operations until retraining with qualified simulators is completed, compromised flight safety, and possible enforcement actions depending on the airline’s response and corrective measures.
The DGCA has set a 14-day deadline for IndiGo to respond to the notice. The airline has confirmed receiving the show-cause notice and is reviewing it. IndiGo remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance across its operations and plans to respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline.
The DGCA's scrutiny highlights the critical nature of simulator qualification for safe pilot training at difficult airports. The use of non-qualified simulators for critical training could compromise flight safety and potentially jeopardize the lives of passengers and crew members. The DGCA states that IndiGo's simulators were not qualified or approved for the specific airport models.
In conclusion, the DGCA's show-cause notice to IndiGo underscores the importance of adhering to the regulations regarding simulator qualification for critical airport training. IndiGo is expected to respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeframe, ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew members.
References
[1] IndiGo faces DGCA show-cause notice over use of non-qualified simulators for training
[2] IndiGo faces DGCA show-cause notice over non-qualified simulators for critical airport training
[3] IndiGo faces DGCA show-cause notice over use of non-qualified simulators for critical airport training
- The DGCA's investigation into IndiGo's use of non-qualified simulators for critical airport training raises concerns about the impact of inadequate technology on sports (aviation) safety.
- As the aviation industry heavily relies on advanced technology for simulator training at challenging airports, the DGCA's scrutiny of IndiGo underscores the importance of sports (aviation) technology compliance for ensuring flight safety.
