Tackling pilot fatigue: Jyotiraditya Scindia says proposed norms will provide facilitative regime for pilots
norms proposed to deal with pilot fatigue, including more rest hours, will help in putting in place a facilitative regime for pilots, according to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Against the backdrop of rising concerns about fatigue among pilots, aviation watchdog DGCA, in November 2023, proposed various changes to the norms governing duty timings of flight crew, including more rest time for pilots.
Changes have been proposed to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) pertaining to 'Duty Period, Flight Duty Period, Flight Time Limitations and Prescribed Rest Periods — Flight crew Engaged in Scheduled Air Transport Operations'.
In a recent interview to PTI, Scindia said that for pilot fatigue issues, the CARs have been relooked at.
«We are putting in place a new set of rules making sure that pilot fatigue not only conforms to international standards but also due to early sunrise in our part of the world, we look at the night hours on an expanded (basis) as opposed to generally 0100 hours to 0500 hours, we are looking at 1100 to 1200 hours, to 0500 hours.
»We are looking to expanding that period, which is going to be the night shift period, thereby putting a much more facilitative regime for pilots," he said.
The minister also said that the regulator is looking to ensure 48 hours rest as opposed to 36 hours rest period.
In December, a senior DGCA official said the regulator has received many comments on the changes to the CAR.
