DGCA allows Air India to use pilots interchangeably on different aircraft types

Some call for the need to exercise caution; decision comes at a time of widening pilot shortage

Acceding to a long-pending demand from Air India to allow it to use a common pool of pilots for different aircraft types, aviation regulator DGCA has allowed a small batch of its cockpit crew to interchange between Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft on a trial basis to enable the airline to use its crew optimally at a time it is staring at a widening shortage of pilots.

The pilot fraternity and safety experts have though underlined the need to exercise utmost caution while permitting flexibility in crew utilisation and demanded strict and third-party oversight on the exercise.

In a letter to Air India, the DGCA on March 3 allowed mixed fleet trial operations, identifying eight pilot examiners (those who certify other pilots) to be part of the phase 1 of the trial. The pilots, some of whom fly Boeing 777s and while others fly Boeing 787s, will undergo ground and simulator training for change over from one type to another. Following which they will be able to fly a minimum of 150 hours on the new type, including a minimum of 10 landings, whichever is later.

“This exercise will enable us to collect empirical data and decide future course of action on scaling up the trial,” said a senior DGCA official on the condition of anonymity.

The person added that 16 countries around the world allow inter-changeability of pilots, but they too have done so in a phased manner. 

“The demand has been there for quite sometime, but such a decision involves extensive due deligence which is why it took time,” the person added.

In an internal message to Air India employees, the airline’s CEO Campbell Wilson welcomed the decision as it would enable “captains on both fleets to operate either type, expanding their experience, professional development, variety and operating scope, as well as according the Company more resilience and flexibility.” He said that the decision would make Air India the first and only airline in India to have this approval.