65% airline personnel fail in basic exam

Despite facing threats of the possible plane hijacks in light of the several hoax calls, which forced a number of flights to be grounded, around 65 per cent candidates of a airlines personal batch, who took the basic aviation certification test conducted from February 1-13 (2016), failed in the exams. 

The examination was conducted by the Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS).

Out of the total candidates, who failed the exams, two are senior security assistants of the DIAL, while eight are the security officers of the Indigo Airways and one is an executive security of the Indigo Airlines.

The test results have revealed that 11 out of 17 candidates failed. The examination is conducted to test the knowledge of candidates about rules, screening and working of equipment like X-ray machines and metal detectors. 

The basic aviation security exam is conducted by the BCAS, keeping in mind the international aviation standards.

All personnel, involved in airport security – including private airline employees, airport operators and CISF officials – have to appear in the test, which is categorised into theoretical and practical. 

“This test, conducted by the agency in phases at regular intervals, is meant to check the preparedness of security personnel in view of renewed threat perceptions and to make them aware of the changing pattern of IEDs and other explosives,” an airport source said. The test has two sections, a 60-marks written test and a 40-marks practical while the passing mark is 80.

“By all standards, it was a poor performance,” said the airport sources. The sources further said that successful completion of the course enables the candidate to be eligible for security duties posting at the airport. 

Of the 17 candidates, who took this test, 12 were posted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, while five were deployed at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.