GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION OPPOSITE SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI-110003 PUBLIC NOTICE 3 rd February 2014 Subject: FAA IASA Audit of DGCA India - Update Placed below is an update of the actions taken by DGCA to address the Open findings of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit conducted under the International Aviation Safety Assessment Programme (IASA). Director General of Civil Aviation
Status of Open s of FAA Audit as on 03.02.2014 Critical CE4 Technical Personnel Qualification and Training 1. 4.1: The DGCA has not documented OJT or refresher training for personnel licensing officers of the licensing directorate, Central Examination Organisation, or the Flying Training directorate in accordance with ICAO or DGCA standards. 2. 4.2: The DGCA does not have a sufficient number of properly Type-Rated Operations Inspectors (current and qualified) to address all aircraft makes and models operated by AOP holders. 1) Detailed procedure for documentation of training records for OJT and refresher training for personnel dealing with Licencing, CEO and Directorate of Flying Training have been laid down in their respective procedure manuals. 2) Training has been carried out as per the laid down procedures and documented. This was also shown to the FAA team in. Immediate action: All types of aircraft operated by Scheduled Air Operator identified on which type-trained FOIs are not available and a plan prepared for training the FOIs on these aircraft. Two Inspectors trained on Boeing 787 aircraft at Boeing facility in Singapore. Slot for training on B747, CRJ and Q400 aircraft has been finalized. The training on B747 and CRJ aircraft has commenced on 27 th January 2014. The training on Q400 is scheduled for 10 th.february 2014, Embraer on 11 th February 2014 and ATR on 3 rd February 2014. FOIs have been nominated for training on these aircraft. Hiring of FOIs: Short-term measure: Approval of Government obtained for hiring of 20 Flight Operations Inspectors on-contract (10 Senior Flight Operations in and actions taken by India post FAA observation: Training records for OJT for PPL and foreign license validation to be completed. Response of India: As pointed out by the FAA team in, the OJT training for PPL and foreign license validation has been completed and records completed. FAA observation: On-contract hiring process does not ensure a continuity of necessary operations inspector staffing, but rather provides a short term solution to the staffing shortages. U.S emphasized that the increase in staffing must be permanent. U.S. emphasized that the full completion of the planned increase in hiring of type rated operations inspectors is absolutely necessary for the DGCA to be able to fulfill its aviation safety oversight responsibilities. Response of India: Short-term measure Appointment letters to eighteen (18) full-time on-contract flight operations inspectors (FOI) have been issued. Some of these selected FOIs, are already working with DGCA as seconded FOIs, and would now be on-contract and available 1
Critical Inspectors and 10 Flight Operations Inspectors), interviews conducted and 18 candidates selected for the position of SFOIs/ FOIs. in and actions taken by India post full-time with DGCA. The contract is for one year and may be extended. All these 18 FOIs shall now be on DGCA s pay-rolls and shall be employees of DGCA. Eight (8) FOIs have joined. 3. 4.3: The DGCA does not use a methodology to determine its inspector staffing requirements according to the size and complexity of civil air operations. 4. 4.7: Airworthiness Officers do not have required aircraft Type Training on all types of aircraft operating in their assigned region. Long-term measure: A proposal for creation of 65 positions of FOIs in DGCA sent to the Government (Department of Expenditure) for approval. A Committee has been set up to prepare the methodology for determining staffing requirements. Aircraft type specific training has been completed on all models utilized by scheduled operators. A plan to complete the specific type training on aircraft models utilized by non-scheduled operators prepared according to similar type grouping and operators approached for seeking training slots. On receiving the slots, the officers will be sent to training. DGCA will ensure following the prepared plan. Long term measure: Government has approved 75 positions of Chief Flight Operations Inspector, Deputy Chief Flight Operations Inspectors, Senior Flight Operations Inspectors and Flight Operations Inspectors along with supporting staff. The Recruitment Rules for these posts have been finalized and the recruitment is likely to be completed by March 2014. FAA Observation: Open Response of India: The Committee has submitted its report on 20 th January 2014. The report contains the methodology for determining flight operations inspector staffing requirements which is based on the ICAO project report of 2010 on enhancement of flight safety oversight capability in DGCA. FAA Observation: The U.S. side said that although aircraft type specific training has been completed on all models utilized by scheduled operators, the required training has yet to be completed on models utilized by non-scheduled operators. Response of India: A plan to complete the specific type training on aircraft models utilized by nonscheduled operators has been prepared according to similar type grouping. Five (5) Groups have been identified covering the type of aircraft operated by the non-scheduled operators consisting of Piston Engine airplane, Turboprop airplane, jet engine airplane, 2
Critical in and actions taken by India post piston engine helicopter and turbine engine helicopter. Officers have been identified for training. Slots for all groups have been confirmed. Training will be done according to the plan and the slots. The identified trainings as scheduled have commenced on 30.1.2014 and will be completed by end of March 2014. CE6 Licencing, Certification, Authorisation and Approval Obligations 5. 6.1: The addition of a new aircraft type to a certificated operator s fleet did not include evidence of demonstration flights. The addition of the Boeing 787 to Air India fleet included a delivery flight but did not include the required technical evaluations associated with a demonstration flight prior to the issuance of Operations Specifications authorizing the use of the aircraft model for revenue operations. Detailed procedures for addition of new aircraft in an operator s fleet developed. Proving flight conducted on Air India s B787 delivery flight in early in accordance with revised procedures FAA Observation: The U.S. side said that the table top demonstrations and the one proving flight appeared to be conducted satisfactory. The item remains open pending the successful completion of the additional proving flights. Response of India: As committed to the FAA team on 11 th / 12 th and as per the requirements given in Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 3100 on Air Operator Certification, additional proving flights (nonrevenue) have been carried out with flight operations inspector, airworthiness inspector and cabin safety inspector on board. FAA was informed of the status on 30.12.2013. 3
Critical 6. 6.3: The certification file for Reliance Commercial Dealers Ltd. did not contain a record of proving flights being conducted to demonstrate readiness of the operator to conduct operations as specified in Airworthiness procedures manual Part II, Chapter 4 para 3.13, 3.14 and CAP 3100 AOC manual Chapter 3, Section 5.2, 5.2.2. 7. 6.4: Air India was not required to demonstrate its ability to operate ETOPs flights for A320, B777 and B787 as specified in CAR Section 2 Series O Part VIII Para 12 which was effective on 11 th August 1999, prior to the DGCA issued authorization. A proving flight readiness check (table top) for RCDL, which holds a Non-Scheduled Operators Permit, being initiated. New procedures have been developed for the airworthiness and operational review for issue of Extended Diversion Time for Operations (EDTO) EDTO approvals. Officers/ inspectors have been trained on the revised process. The airworthiness reevaluation for all types of aircraft operated by scheduled operators in accordance with laid down guidance has been satisfactorily completed and shown to the FAA team in. The operational re-evaluation is under process. in and actions taken by India post FAA Observation: The U.S. said that the item is still open pending the completion of the proving flight readiness check for Reliance Commercial Dealer Limited, and pointed out that allowing the AOP holder to continue to operate without yet demonstrating capabilities is not in compliance with ICAO standards. Response of India: As committed to FAA team in, a proving flight readiness check (table top) for RCDL, which holds a Non-Scheduled Operators Permit, has been completed. FAA Observation: The U.S. said that the item is still open pending the completion of the operational EDTO evaluation re-approvals. The airworthiness evaluations were properly completed, and if conducted according to the presented plan, the operational evaluations should also be satisfactory. Response of India: Operational re- evaluation including Simulator Check and proving flight for B777 of Air India and A330 of Jet Airways which are operating to US completed in accordance with revised procedures. Operational re-evaluation for B787 aircraft completed. The finding has been addressed for all aircraft flying to US including B787 aircraft. The Operational re-evaluation for all aircraft including A320 aircraft operated by air carriers being carried out. Operational re-evaluation of Indigo A320 aircraft already been completed 4