Lok Sabha Question No. 3011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Medical Standards for Pilots and Flight Crew
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

3011.

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 8 3011 December 2015)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

(To be answered on the 17th

## MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR PILOTS AND FLIGHT CREW

DR SUBHASH BHAMRE SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the medical standards set for pilots and flight crew of the Indian Carriers along with the cockpit policy adopted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA);
- (c) if $0, the details and the present status thereof;
- (6) whether DGCA proposes to review the said rules/cockpit policy and adopt 4 four-level Psychometric tests for to prevent the occurrence of incidents like German/wings crash; pilots
- thereof along with the suggestions made by the panel and the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (0) whether Air India is likely to ground nearly 125 cabin crew personnel; including airhostesses; for not maintaining the weight standards prescribed DGCA and if s0, the details ad the present status thereof? by
- (e) the other safety/precautionary measures being taken by the Government in this regard; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) the medical standards of co-pilots for commercial flying are equivalent to the medical standards %f Class-I medical assessment enumerated in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annexure 1, Chapter and medical requirements Iaid down by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as per Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Part I dated 26th A ugust 1999. pilots

In additiol; DGCA has issued Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) o certain medical conditions for experienced as guidelines. These are available on DGCA website (WWw.dgca nicin): pilots

(b) to (e) With regard to cockpit policy, DGCA has already Circular 3/2010 regarding manning of cockpit during non-critical phases of flight: It mandated that in cases one pilot leaves the flight deck, cabin crew shali in the flight deck and will occupy one of the observer seat:

DGCA had also constituted working group to carry out study and recommend "Policy on Manning of Cockpit and Medical/Psychometric Test for Flight Crew"\_ The working group has submitted its report in July 2015. The suimary of recommendation of the report is placed as Annexure-A Further; Director General (Medical Services), Indian Air force,an adviser to DGCA, in the matter of flight crew related medical issues in Civil Aviation; has also examined the report of the above working group and has agreed to its recommendations.

- (f) Air India is not grounding such cabin crew. However, time is given to them to reduce their weight: `

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## Recommendations made in the working group report:

1. There is no need to amend Air Safety Circular 03 of 2010 on "Manning of Cockpit during Non-Critical Phases Standard Procedures".
2. 2 There is no need to amend CAR Section 7 , Series C, Part on "Medical Requirements and Examination for Flight Crew Licenses' as it is in line with ICAO Annex 1 requirements
3. 3\_ Psychological assessment of pilots may be introduced to ascertain psychological andlor cognitive status of the pilot at following levels:
4. a At the time of applying , as ab-initio cadet in the Flying   Training Organization:
5. b At the time of recruitment in the airline to ascertain if the aspirant has any traits that would make him a good pilot and to rule out any unwanted personality traits and psychiatric tendencies
- d. In case it becomes apparent during investigation of occurrence, feedback from the trainers and peer group:
7. C Before upgrade as Pilot-in-Command or trainer to assess the suitability to take up a leadership role
8. The psychometric analysis should be carried out by qualified psychologistl psychiatrist having exposure in aviation:
9. A circular may be issued containing the provisions of Para 4.3 (a) to () which will be subject to amendment based on future international best practices.
10. f Pilots showing psychological abrasions may be referred to AFCME, New DelhiIAM Bangalore for further evaluation before release.