New Delhi:
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
New Delhi, June 2, 2010
DGCA issues fresh directives to all aircraft operators on adherence to standard operating procedures, 'correct' landings by pilots and standard procedures on manning of cockpit
Due to the recent events in the aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued fresh directives on Standard Operating Procedures to all scheduled, non-scheduled and general aviation operators.
In the directive on 'correct' landings, the DGCA has said "Based on feedback received from various quarters it is felt that pilots need to be made aware that achieving a particular "G" ("G" is the acceleration constant for gravity) value on touchdown is no measure of a good landing. Landings should be judged not by how soft the landing has been, but if it has been made at the correct speed and touchdown zone on the runway. The airplane manufacturer lays down limits of "G" values for landing, and certain operators need to guard against imposing much lower values in their FOQA programmes." The DGCA has asked all operators to ensure that 'correct' landings are aimed by pilots' rather than achieving soft landings at lower "G" values that may compromise the runway stopping distance required. In case of an "Unstabilised Approach" if not timely corrected, a "Go-Around" is recommended which affords pilots another opportunity, to conduct another safe approach.
In the directive on Standard Operating Procedures for approach and landing the DGCA has reiterated that strict adherence to the SOPs would result in decent landings acceptable within the limitations of the aircraft without compromising stopping distance requirements.
In this regard, the DGCA has said that a large percentage of incidents and accidents occur during the approach and landing or take off phase of flight. This is also the phase where there is transition from automated flight to manual flight, instrument to visual reference and vice versa. It is critical that SOPs are followed meticulously in these phases of flight. Pilots need to bear in mind that a good landing is the result of a good approach which is built on adherence to SOPs. A good landing is not one that the passengers perceive as a soft landing, but one that is made at the correct point on the runway with the correct flight parameters. While the approach can be controlled to achieve a good standard through adherence to SOPs and should result in safe landing, an attempt to cushion a "decent" landing to make a soft landing could result in a delayed touchdown that would need harsh deceleration to maintain the aircraft on the runway or even worse a runway excursion with possible catastrophic results. If however, for any reasons, the approach is unstabilised, a go-around is a safer option which affords the pilot another opportunity to conduct a safe approach to land.
The DGCA directive on Standard Procedures for manning of cockpit is as follow:
"The Flight Crew Operations Manual (FCOM) and Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP) Manual of all aircraft/ Operators requires that at all given times the Cockpit has to be manned by minimum crew compliment.
In case one of the crew members has to leave the cockpit during the non critical phases of flight the cabin crew is required to be inside the cockpit and occupy the observer seat. In no case the cabin crew will occupy the seats meant for Cockpit crew.
It is to reiterate that in case one pilot leaves the flight deck, cabin crew shall be in the flight deck and will occupy one of the observer seats. The cabin crew in the flight deck will remain vigilant in case of subtle incapacitation of the flight deck crew or any other situation that requires assistance.
The procedure to be followed is as follows:
• Prior to opening the Flight Deck door, the forward galley area should be free of passengers and the curtain between the galley and cabin is closed.
• The absence should be restricted to the minimum time necessary.
• The flight deck door is locked whilst crew member is absent.
• The forward galley area must remain sterile during the absence from the flight deck.
• The crew member returning to the flight deck should follow the entry request procedure.
The pilot remaining in the cockpit shall wear shoulders harness, and headset and maintain high level of alertness, and situational awareness. He should have an unobstructed access to the flight controls.
The cabin crew shall remain in the flight deck till such time the flight deck crew member returns to the flight deck.
The above is for strict compliance."