DGCA denies license to trans-pilot, asks him to reapply for medical test

New Delhi, July 14: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday asked India's first transgender trainee-pilot Adam Harry to reapply for a medical test to get a commercial pilot license. This comes two years after he was declared "unfit to fly" due to hormone therapy.

Refuting media reports that a transman from Kerala was denied permission to get commercial pilot license, the aviation regulator said that when Harry applied for a medical test in 2020, he was undergoing hormone therapy for gender change. As per rules, he was undeclared temporarily medical unfit for a period of six months to complete the hormone therapy, the DGCA said.

"In fact, there are no restrictions on transgender people to obtain pilot license and ratings; subject to the individual ensuring compliance of relevant provisions of age, educational qualifications, medical fitness, knowledge experience etc. among other things as specified in Aircraft Rules, 1937," it said in a statement.

Transgender personnel can be issued a fit medical assessment, provided there are no associated medical, psychiatric, or psychological conditions, the DGCA noted.

"Use of hormonal replacement therapy (to change gender from female to male) is not disqualifying if the applicant has no adverse symptoms or reactions," it said. However, flying duties are not permitted while the dose of hormonal treatment is being stabilised or until an adequate physiological response has been achieved and the dose no longer needs changing, it added.

The DGCA said it follows the same procedure as that of US aviation regulator FAA when a transgender person -- who is under hormone therapy -- undergoes a medical test for a commercial pilot license. When Harry applied for a medical test in January 2020, his medical reports observed that he is undergoing hormone therapy for a change of gender from female to male and therapy had to continue, it said. Moreover, the mental health report submitted by him was not complete, it added.

Therefore, he was undeclared temporarily medical unfit for a period of six months to complete the hormone therapy, the DGCA said. Harry got his medical test done in August 2020 while he was off hormone therapy and was physiologically female, it said.

Therefore, he was issued a medical certificate -- which was valid till August 23, 2022 -- on his then sexuality and name Aisha TS, it mentioned. The regulator said Harry has not completed the required hours of flying -- using his student pilot license -- so as to be eligible for a commercial pilot license.

"Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology has indicated that Mr Adam Harry was not issued student pilot license owning to inadequate attendance for ground classes," it said. Notwithstanding the above, since Harry is due for a fresh medical test, he has been informed to apply for a name change from Aisha TS to Adam Harry, register on eGCA website under the category 'transgender', and apply for fresh medical test using eGCA website, it stated.