DGCA medical check mandate for pilots sparks row  

The Directorate Common of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated that medical examinations for business pilots will likely be performed at IAF Boarding Centres, with the pilots’ affiliation saying that it ought to be as per world norms.

“All of the required investigations for medical examinations at IAF Boarding Centres will likely be performed at IAF Boarding Centres solely. The extra investigations, which aren’t accessible at IAF Boarding Centres, are to be performed at NABH/NABL/ISO accredited Laboratories and the unique investigations bearing QR code together with ID verification shall be produced at IAF Boarding Centres by the candidates,” mentioned the DGCA order issued on July 2.

The business pilots are criticising the transfer, saying that this may additional floor a number of pilots, including to the scarcity of pilots. Earlier, business pilots may get their routine medical checks from retired IAF medical doctors licensed by the DGCA, however now it will likely be carried out on the IAF Boarding Centres.   

“On the IAF Boarding Centres, the business pilots need to bear medical checks for fighter pilots, who’re primarily younger (beneath 40 years). Now, think about business pilots within the age group 55-65 years, required to match these parameters. There isn’t any doubt that every one pilots must be medically match, however for business pilots, medical parameters are totally different. Why isn’t DGCA following the ICAO medical health norms for the pilots?” mentioned Sam Thomas, President, Airline Pilots’ Affiliation of India.     

The ALPA India additionally flags that there are three IAF Boarding Centres – Delhi, Jorhat and Bengaluru – and pilots have to hunt an appointment and for 3 days they’re off obligation. “In the event that they don’t meet these medical parameters, they are going to be grounded which suggests a scarcity of pilots on obligation. We now have been demanding that medical checks ought to be as per globally required requirements,” provides Thomas.  

The DGCA course additional mentioned that primarily based on historical past and scientific examination, some other investigation/opinion/ report may be performed/requested by the IAF Boarding Centre to help in ascertaining aeromedical health.

In line with stories, the change was necessitated as some pilots had been utilizing proxies and falsified stories to clear their medical exams.