Air India pilot accused for disobeying the airline norms

A senior Air India (AI) pilot has been allegedly accused of disregarding the airline's norms for conducting final release check of a junior pilot.

As per AI's training manual, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the final release check of a first officer (co-pilot) can be conducted only by a Type Rated Instructor(TRI).

"However, in contravention to this, the Chennai-based senior pilot, a DGCA-approved Designated Examiner, misused his official position and conducted the final release check of a co-pilot belonging to the airline," a source alleged.

As part of their training, a co-pilot or first officer undergoes different checks during his flight, which are conducted by Line Training Captain (LTC), TRI and Designated Examiner (DE), depending upon the level of training.

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"In this case, the final release check of the co-pilot was to be conducted by a Type Rated Instructor. But it was conducted by a DE despite he not being mandated to do so. So far no action has been taken against this commander," the source said. A response from Air India spokesperson on this issue was awaited. The source also claimed this senior commander was earlier a flight operations inspector with the DGCA and was removed from the post when he tested positive for alcohol in a pre-flight medical test.

"He was removed from all training assignments for a period of three years by the DGCA. However, as soon he completed the three-year period, the Air India management recommended his name to the DGCA for DE post and asked it to restore his training privileges," the source said.