If Introduction of Recurrent Ground Training for ...
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Volume-10, Release-10 MAY 2017 DGCA vide their CAR Section 8 Series H, Part V Issue II dated 28 Mar 17 have slashed Recurrent Ground Training (from 4 days to 6 hrs) for Helicopter Pilots on the following subjects important to building the mental capacity of pilots in making correct aeronautical decisions: - Special VFR Recurrent Ground Training Two days Procedure Training once a year No Recurrent Ground Training Adverse Weather, including weather radar and CFIT One Day to cover 7 subjects: Indian Monsoon Climatology, Techniques of Weather Avoidance, Use of Weather Radar, Inadvertent IMC flight; Precautions, avoidance and recovery, Spatial Disorientation, CFIT and Wind Shear and Microburst. 4 hours of Monsoon Training with addition of Disorientation, Situational Awareness and CFIT. Also, now called Specific Ground Training Procedures Training Two days Nil CRM Refresher One day every year 2 hours every year If Introduction of Recurrent Ground Training for Helicopter Pilots helped improve Safety Performance, why slash it The gravity of this step could be better appreciated if we care to consider the genesis behind the introduction of Recurrent Ground Training especially the Spl VFR for unrated helicopter Pilots (vide CAR Section 8, Series O, Part I, issued in September 2004, Rev I dated 11th December 2010). It was introduced based on the recommendations of the Kaushik Committee (Report on Training, Proficiency monitoring of helicopter pilots and the requirements for helicopter operations). It is pertinent to quote from this report which was accepted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation: (a) “Helicopter pilots lack experience to fly under weather conditions” (b) “It may be summed up that though the helicopters are IFR certified, and pilots are Instrument Rated, such helicopter pilots in general lack experience of flying in marginal weather conditions. Also, monitoring their proficiency under instrument conditions is inadequate.” (c ) “Large number of helicopter accidents has taken place due to controlled flying into terrain (CFIT). It may be due to lack of flying experience in IMC conditions or pilot getting into bad weather inadvertently. This is especially applicable to non--IFR helicopters and non-IR pilots. Proper training and testing of pilot in instrument flying for non-IFR certified helicopters might overcome these shortcomings. Under Special VFR pilots not holding IR/FIR/Assistant FIR if trained as per CAR are permitted to fly under special VFR up to a visibility of 1500 meters for Class III helicopters and 1000 meters for Class I and II helicopters”. These observations were made in view of large number of weather related fatal helicopter accidents involving both Single Engine and Twin Engine helicopters. With the introduction of Spl VFR training by above mentioned CAR in September 2004, the number of Fatal Accidents owing to loss of Situational Awareness on Single Engine helicopters flown by un-rated pilots recorded significant decline in the next 12 years. As against six Fatal Accidents recorded during 1999- 2005, there were only two Fatal Accidents to SE Helicopters during 2006- 2016. However, during the same period, there were seven Fatal Accidents to Twin Engine helicopters operated by Instrument rated pilots who did not get the benefit of undergoing Spl VFR Training. CAR Section 8, Series H, Part I, issued in 2014 superseded CAR on Authorisation of VFR training and brought in annual Procedures Training (two days) for all helicopter pilots. Before we could see the safety impact of Procedures Training, the new CAR has been issued reducing the training drastically. Under the new dispensation of zero Recurrent Training for Special VFR and in the absence of annual Spl VFR flight checks, unrated pilots will be free to operate in IMC under Spl VFR in control zone even if they are not currently familiarized with ATC procedures. This is considered detrimental to safety. We have 57 Helicopter Operators (NSOP) spread across the length and breadth of the Country. Ninety per cent of commercial operators have a small fleet of six or less than six machines. Many of the pilots may not get to meet other pilots operating similar types in similar role for sharing their experiences in handling various emergencies. Mandatory ground training offers a forum for communication between pilots through problem solving and Emergency recovery discussions. Even International Helicopter Safety Team in a recent meet on 8 Mar 2017 at Dallas US reiterated the need to build Pilots capacity for Situational Awareness in flying to reduce accidents caused due to Loss of Situational Awareness / CFIT. While many Regulators across the world are stepping up their efforts for building Pilots capacity for Situational Awareness in flying to reduce accidents, it is unfortunate that we are dismantling the process of training set to prevent high number of fatal accidents caused due to Loss of Situational Awareness / CFIT. We request DGCA to kindly review the matter. AVM (Retd.) K. Sridharan VM (G) Editor-in-Chief, Rotor India
Transcript of If Introduction of Recurrent Ground Training for ...
Volume-10, Release-10MAY 2017
DGCA vide their CAR Section 8 Series H, Part V Issue II dated 28 Mar 17 have slashed Recurrent Ground Training (from 4 days to 6 hrs) for Helicopter Pilots on t h e f o l l o w i n g s u b j e c t s
important to building the mental capacity of pilots in making correct aeronautical decisions: -
Special VFR Recurrent Ground Training
Two days Procedure Training once a year
No Recurrent Ground Training
Adverse Weather, including weather radar and CFIT
One Day to cover 7 subjects: Indian Monsoon Climatology, Techniques of Weather Avoidance, Use of Weather Radar, Inadvertent IMC flight; Precautions, avoidance and recovery, Spatial Disorientation, CFIT and Wind Shear and Microburst.
4 hours of Monsoon Training with addition of Disorientation, Situational Awareness and CFIT. Also, now called Specific Ground Training
Procedures Training
Two days Nil
CRM Refresher
One day every year 2 hours every year
If Introduction of Recurrent Ground Training for Helicopter Pilots helped improve Safety Performance, why slash it
The gravity of this step could be better appreciated if we care to consider the genesis behind the introduction of Recurrent Ground Training especially the Spl VFR for unrated helicopter Pilots (vide CAR Section 8, Series O, Part I, issued in September 2004, Rev I dated 11th December 2010). It was introduced based on the recommendations of the Kaushik Committee (Report on Training, Proficiency monitoring of helicopter pilots and the requirements for helicopter operations). It is pertinent to quote from this report which was accepted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation:
(a) “Helicopter pilots lack experience to fly under weather conditions”
(b) “It may be summed up that though the helicopters are IFR certified, and pilots are Instrument Rated, such helicopter pilots in general lack experience of flying in marginal weather conditions. Also, monitoring their proficiency under instrument conditions is inadequate.”
(c ) “Large number of helicopter accidents has taken place due to controlled flying into terrain (CFIT). It may be due to lack of flying experience in IMC conditions or pilot getting into bad weather inadvertently. This is especially applicable to non--IFR helicopters and non-IR pilots. Proper training and testing of pilot in instrument flying for non-IFR certified helicopters might overcome these shortcomings. Under Special VFR pilots not holding IR/FIR/Assistant FIR if trained as per CAR are permitted to fly under special VFR up to a visibility of 1500 meters for
Class III helicopters and 1000 meters for Class I and II helicopters”.
These observations were made in view of large number of weather related fatal helicopter accidents involving both Single Engine and Twin Engine helicopters.
With the introduction of Spl VFR training by above mentioned CAR in September 2004, the number of Fatal Accidents owing to loss of Situational Awareness on Single Engine helicopters flown by un-rated pilots recorded significant decline in the next 12 years.
As against six Fatal Accidents recorded during 1999-2005, there were only two Fatal Accidents to SE Helicopters during 2006- 2016. However, during the same period, there were seven Fatal Accidents to Twin Engine helicopters operated by Instrument rated pilots who did not get the benefit of undergoing Spl VFR Training.
CAR Section 8, Series H, Part I, issued in 2014 superseded CAR on Authorisation of VFR training and brought in annual Procedures Training (two days) for all helicopter pilots. Before we could see the safety impact of Procedures Training, the new CAR has been issued reducing the training drastically.
Under the new dispensation of zero Recurrent Training for Special VFR and in the absence of annual Spl VFR flight checks, unrated pilots will be free to operate in IMC under Spl VFR in control zone even if they are not currently familiarized with ATC procedures. This is considered detrimental to safety.
We have 57 Helicopter Operators (NSOP) spread across the length and breadth of the Country. Ninety per cent of commercial operators have a small fleet of six or less than six machines. Many of the pilots may not get to meet other pilots operating similar types in similar role for sharing their experiences in handling various emergencies. Mandatory ground training offers a forum for communication between pilots through problem solving and Emergency recovery discussions.
Even International Helicopter Safety Team in a recent meet on 8 Mar 2017 at Dallas US reiterated the need to build Pilots capacity for Situational Awareness in flying to reduce accidents caused due to Loss of Situational Awareness / CFIT. While many Regulators across the world are stepping up their efforts for building Pilots capacity for Situational Awareness in flying to reduce accidents, it is unfortunate that we are dismantling the process of training set to prevent high number of fatal accidents caused due to Loss of Situational Awareness / CFIT.
We request DGCA to kindly review the matter.
AVM (Retd.) K. Sridharan VM (G)Editor-in-Chief, Rotor India
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Shimla–Delhi Connected by UDAN FlightsPrime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) flight under Reginol Connectivity Scheme (RCS) on Shimla-Delhi Sector at 27 April 2017 at Jubbal Hatti Airport in Shimla. Simultaneously, he also flaged off the UDAN flights on Kadapa - Hyderabad and Nanded-Hyderabad sectors.The Ministry of Civil Aviation is committed to provide air connectivity to currently underserved remote area airports to make air travel accessible to the common people for faster travel to other parts of the country. The Ministry had launched “UDAN RCS” in October, 2016. The UDAN Scheme was developed through extensive consideration of various issues and consultations with stakeholders. This is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism.
The Prime Minister explained in his speech that the basic idea of this scheme is to allow common man to fly from Shimla to Delhi in one hour by paying equal to or less than taxi fare of Rupees 2000/- only. The taxi takes about 9 hours to complete the same distance from Shimla to Delhi. The selected airline operator would have to provide 50 percent of the flight capacity (subject to a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40) as RCS Seats for operations through fixed wing aircraft. The airfare for a one hour journey of appx 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would be capped at Rs. 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths and flight duration.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) followed a transparent bidding process by inviting interested bidders and airline operators to submit their Initial Proposals under the provisions of Regional Connectivity Scheme and subsequently inviting counter proposals against such Initial Proposals. Airports to be connected:
The AAI have issued Letter of Awards for 27 proposals received under RCS-UDAN. Key features of the proposals awarded by AAI include: 27 currently served airports, 12 currently underserved airports and 31 currently unserved airports (for a total of 70 airports) will be connected through these 27 proposals.•
Centre & State Govts get NGT notice on Unregulated Chopper Service to
KedarnathDehradun: The National Green Tribunal(NGT) issued notices to the Union and the Uttarakhand governments on 26 Apr 17 seeking their response on a plea raising concern over the unregulated operation of helicopters creating a threat to the flora and fauna in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), State government, National Board for Wildlife (NBL) and others.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by environment activist Kavita Ashok seeking directions to frame an aviation policy for the eco-sensitive zone. The petitioner also said that she has learnt through an RTI response that Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has recommended to the government to shift the Sersi helipad near Sonprayag. It is the nearest helipad for reaching the Kedarnath shrine.
On April 20, the findings of Wildlife Institute of India report, highlighted how the noise from low-flying choppers was disturbing the wildlife in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It was also reported that WII has suggested shifting of helipad as an interim measure. The sanctuary is known for its dense forests, which has trees like oak, chir, pine, birch, alpine, rhododendron meadows, and numerous flowering plants, besides endangered and rare species like Musk Deer and Himalayan Tahr.
Many pilgrims, intending to avoid the 16-km trek to Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district, opt for the chopper services. More
people started opting for the chopper service after the flash floods of 2013.
In her plea, the petitioner had sought execution of the NGT’s December 10, 2015 order. The NGT, in its order, had asked the state government to issue directions in consonance with the aviation policy with specific reference to the sanctuary in relation to the height and level of noise that the helicopters should be permitted to generate.
The petitioner, who has also sought imposition of penalty for non-compliance of the order, contended that helicopter operations in the area for religious tourism have “seriously disturbed the eco-system and fauna of Kedarnath Sanctuary”.
In her plea, the petitioner alleged that the authorities have till date neither acted on the interim measures as suggested by the WII, nor have declared the eco sensitive zone for the sanctuary.
“As the helicopter service is likely to start ... (soon), the respondents can use the gap period for preparation of interim measures as suggested by the WII. The Report has also recommended shifting of Sersi helipad and limiting sorties per day.
Uttarakhand High Court had, in 2012, sealed noise level limits around protected areas — 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels during the night. A report by DFO Kedarnath submitted to the government in 2013 mentioned that the noise levels reported in the valley was 120 decibels. Later the NGT had asked the WII to pitch in for researched results.•
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Hon'ble RM'S interaction with IAF Commanders during Air Force Commanders'
ConferenceShri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri inaugurated the biannual Air Force Commanders' Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), New Delhi on 19 April 2017. Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) welcomed Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri, Shri G Mohan Kumar, Defence Secretary and Shri A K Gupta, Secretary (Defence Production). He also introduced the Air Force Commanders to the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri.
The CAS updated the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri on the operational status of IAF and the progress on infrastructure development. He highlighted the efforts made to enhance aircraft serviceability towards maintaining operational readiness of Indian Air Force. Achievements during the recently conducted pan IAF and international exercises with friendly foreign countries were also covered by the CAS. He further elaborated the actions initiated for enhancing operational effectiveness and the future roadmap of IAF.
The Hon'ble Raksha Mantri deliberated on the challenges to Defence Forces due to the rapidly changing geo-political situation in the world and the uncertainties existing in the region. He commended IAF for having successfully conducted various military exercises and operations towards Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief both within and outside the country. Acknowledging IAF's capability as the first responder especially in face of a natural calamity he emphasised the
resolve of the government in expediting approved modernisation programmes of the Service.
During the three day conference, senior leadership of the IAF would deliberate on issues pertaining to enhancement of combat effectiveness and development of human resources and infrastructure. To encourage indigenisation and enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing a day long interactive session has been planned with delegations from HAL, BEL and other Defence PSUs. The CAS would also present trophies for excellence in various domains including cyber, communication, sports and welfare activities.
IAF Helicopters Evacuate Injured CRPF Personnel in
Sukma Naxal AttackOn 24 Apr 17 ,150 personnel of CRPF who were providing security cover to road-construction activity in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, were attacked by 300 armed Maoist guerillas .This attack resulted in killing 25 CRPF personnel and seriously wounding seven. Injured CRPF personnel were evacuated by IAF Helicopters and were brought to Raipur for treatment .
SMS PRO TM USA has Co-opted RWSI as SMS Training Center for Australia/Southeast Asia
Rotary Wing Society of India, SMS Training Services LinkIndustry: All Aviation, POC: Gp Capt (Retd.) MK Labroo
+91-9873213731, Phone:+91120 2402010, E-mail:[email protected], [email protected], www.rwsi.org
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RWSI Conducts CRM, Adverse Weather Ops, DGR and SEP for Tata Steel
RWSI Team comprising of Gp Capt MK Labroo, Wg Cdr V. P. Mathur and Dr. J Kulkarni visited Aviation Div Tata Steel, Jamshedpur during 18-21 April 2017 and conducted courses on CRM, Adverse Weather Ops, DGR and SEP for Tata Steel for the aviation professionals of Tata Steel Limited. There were 11 for Aircrew for Adverse weather Training course on 19 Apr 17 and 12 Aircrew forDGR Trg course on 20 April and 14 Aircrew for SEP Training course on 21 Apr 2017. The pictures taken during the Training programme are placed below.
“DGR Training session in progress at TSL Airport."
TSL Aircrew seen completing the Safety & EmergencyProcedures Training on 21 April 2017 at Jamshedpur Airport.
" Usage of A, B, C, D, and K type of Fire Extinguishers beingpracticed by Aircrew and Fire Fighting Drill being demonstratedby Fire Deptt of TSL on 21Apr 2017”
“TSL Aircrew who completed the DGR Training on 20 Apr 17”
Commercial Space Available for RentalCommercial space having carpet area of 1451 sq. ft (super area of 2322 sq.ft) available at
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technology such as laptop computers, cell phones and internet access) to any aviation company is available for around Rs.1.20 lac per month rental .
visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWbp9h06qUA to see I Thum what it can offer.Interested party may contact Sr. Adm officer, RWSI at 0120-2402060/2402010 [email protected]
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RWSI Training Programme for
MAY 2017
Interested candidates kindly submit the names of the participants who want to attend the above mentioned courses to: . In addition to this, please furnish the following details of the participants for enrollment:-Name of the Participant:License Number: Name of the Operator: Mobile Number: Email Address:
Contact Person: Sr. Admin Officerth609, 6 floor, Ithum Tower A, A-40, Sector -62, Noida
Phone: 0120-2402010/60
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