New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Friday issued an advisory warning airlines of stringent action if unauthorised people are given entry inside cockpits.
The aviation regulator’s circular came after several instances of unauthorised entry on scheduled flights were reported in the past few months.
“Instances of unauthorized entry into the aircraft cockpit have been reported to DGCA in the recent past, wherein persons having no authority or purpose, were permitted entry into the cockpit,” the DCGA’s advisory read.
The advisory, seen by ThePrint, also added that unauthorised presence in the cockpit was likely to distract the attention of airline crew from their sensitive functions and may lead to errors, which may jeopardize the safety of aircraft operations.
Earlier this month, the regulator had suspended an Air India pilot-in-command for a year for allowing a female friend into the cockpit of a Chandigarh-Leh flight.
The DGCA had previously suspended the license of an Air India pilot who welcomed his female friend into the cockpit of an Air India Dubai-Delhi flight on 27 February. The regulator had also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the airline for allegedly not taking prompt and effective action in the incident.
In its latest circular, the DGCA has pointed out that the person authorised to enter a cockpit and occupy the jump seat, wherever provided in India-registered aircraft, have been specified in the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 17 of 2019.
The DGCA also said only crew members, an officer of the civil aviation department, an officer of the India Meteorological Department, an officer of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the rank of joint secretary and above, an employee of the aircraft operator, officials of the airline, any flight crew member of the aircraft operator or a duly authorised representative of the manufacturer of the aircraft can be authorised for entry into the cockpit.
“All the Heads of Operations are hereby advised to sensitize their pilots and cabin crew members to strictly follow the AIC and prevent any unauthorized entry in the cockpit through appropriate means. Any non-compliance of the applicable regulation, dealing with unauthorized cockpit entry shall be dealt with strictly and may also invite stringent enforcement action,” it added.
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