DGCA issues new guidelines for election flights

Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued fresh guidelines to ensure safe operations of helicopters and planes hired for elections and has warned charter operators they could lose permit for non compliance of rules.

The guidelines lay down rules related to operational safety and air worthiness and lays down penalties for non compliance. This could include caution or warning or even cancellation of licence of pilots and engineers. Charter companies could lose their licence in case of a serious violation, the DGCA has said.

According to the DGCA, election flying is a highly demanding exercise in terms of skill levels, professionalism and tact. Long flying hours, large number of take-offs and landings, weather changes, lack of proper rest , hurriedly prepared helipads, frequent changes in itinerary, time management, highly stressed security arrangement, crowd control, congested airspace, commercial interest and language barrier are some of the challenges of election flying.

"Analysis of earlier accidents and incidents associated with small aircraft / helicopter operations from airstrips/temporary helipads and past experience of election flying by

the operators has revealed that laid down instructions were violated time and again and safety was jeopardised,'' DGCA said in its circular