HC asks AI to file reply for faulty recruitment of pilot instructors

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, Mar 29 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today asked Air India Chairman and Managing Director V Tulsidas to file an affidavit in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleging faulty recruitment of four pilots as instructors in 2004.

It was submitted before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kshitij Vyas and Justice Dhanjay Chandrachud that to select candidates as instructors, they were required to command 1,000 hours of experience. An amendment to this rule stated that if the pilot had a previous experience of 200 hours as instructor, then he must undergo another 500 hours of training.

The PIL alleges that the flag carrier requested the Director General of Civil Aviation to reduce the 500 hours requirement to just 300 hours. Despite the DGCA rejecting the A-I request, the four pilots were recruited even though they had less than 500 hours of command.

Any pilot undergoing training as instructor gets qualified to fly Boeing 777. The PIL stated that the recruitment of such a pilot who was allowed to fly the Boeing could put at risk the human life, if he failed to fly the plane properly.

The case will come up for further hearing on April 5.

UNI XR-ARM SSS VD HT2306

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