Number of expat pilots dips as carriers promote co-pilots

According to the minister, a total of 942 co-pilots from across 12 airlines was promoted to the senior pilot's position between January 1, <g data-gr-id="32">2012</g> and July 28 this year. While a total of 217 co-pilots were upgraded in 2012, the domestic carriers brought 288 first officers to the commander's position on the plane in 2013.

Another 268 co-pilots were promoted to senior pilot's position in 214, he said, adding till July this year as many as 169 co-pilots had joined the pilot's seat on the aircraft. He said that there is a shortage of type-rated commanders in the country due to the growth in <g data-gr-id="37">aviation</g> industry and induction of more aircraft in the fleet by these airlines. However, <g data-gr-id="35">sufficient number</g> of Indian co-pilots is available and employed with the airline. A type rating is a regulator's certification of a pilot to fly a certain aircraft type that requires additional training beyond the scope of the initial licence and aircraft class training.

"These co-pilots do not possess training and experience as required to become commander on the type. As regards Air India, they have <g data-gr-id="30">sufficient number</g> of commanders available for the present schedule," he said. According to the minister, Air India has upgraded a total of 154 co-pilots to commander's position during this period.

To overcome the shortage of type-rated pilots, validation of foreign pilots is done as per the Aircraft Rule, 1937, he said, adding Indian pilots who are inducted by airlines and are eligible to become pilot-in-command as per the policy of airline are being trained by them to phase out expat pilot. As a follow-up, cases of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) pilots are processed on the basis information furnished by each airline and only after security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said. 

The government has retracted issue of FATA up to December 31, <g data-gr-id="28">2016</g> on <g data-gr-id="27">case-to-case</g> basis, Sharma said.  The total number of expat pilots employed by the airlines in the country was 286 as on June 30 this year.