Beware, tipsy pilots, the regulatory body has tightened surveillance during pre-flight checks and took action against as many as 57 pilots in the country who tested positive during the pre-flight alcohol check in 2009-10.
The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) terminated services of 11 of such “tipsy” pilots and many were kept off flying duties for three months with loss of pay and allowances. Such pilots who tested positive during the pre-flight alcohol check cut across all airlines and hailed from not only State-owned Air India but also from Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher, Go Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo.
The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued civil aviation requirements (CAR) last year which explains the procedure to be followed for pre-flight medical check and breath analyzer test for alcohol consumption. As of now all crew members have to report for pre-flight medical check and as per regulation 100 per cent checks of all crew members should be done, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi had recently stated in Rajya Sabha.
DGCA officials said they carry out surveillance checks on pre-flight medical checks and action is taken against pilots as per CARs with loss of pay and allowances. If found positive in alcohol check for the first time, the pilot is kept off flying duty and his license is suspended for three months. In case a repetition occurs, the license is cancelled for five years.
