(a) the policy and procedure for the appointment of Air India''s Chief of Flight Safety (CoFS);
(b) whether the Government is aware that Directorate General of Civil Aviation appointed a pilot who has never flown as CoFS, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the grounds of her appointment and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard to ensure passenger safety?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
(a) : As per Para 8.1 of CAR Section 5 Series F Part I, a person of Indian nationality either a flight crew member or aviation engineer shall be appointed as the Chief of Flight Safety.
As per the procedure, the airline operator shall propose the name of the person for approval as Chief of Flight Safety who meets the requirements alsongwith the qualification and training details of the proposed Chief Flight Safety.
Knowledge and performance of the proposed CoFS in evaluated through an interview by a board under the chairmanship of Joint Director General, DGCA.
(b) & (c) : There is no requirement to appoint a flying pilot as Chief of Flight Safety.
As per the procedure, M/s. Air India proposed the name of prospective candidates for Chief of Flight Safety who meet the requirements.
Based on the performance in the interview, the Chief of Safety was approved by DGCA and appointed by M/s. Air India.