Good News for Pilots,Cabin Crew & AME(DGCA-India)

India’s Aviation Regulator, DGCA has issued a public notice . As per the notice, now Crew members ( Pilots, Cabin Crew, AME ) can travel as ACM on cockpit jump seat.

Following is the order issued by DGCA

What is ACM ?

ACM means “Additional Crew Member assigned by operator whose presence in cockpit will overall enhance the safety of flight. It could be pilot , cabin crew or AME. “

The facility of ACM could be availed by Crew Member while traveling on leave or off duty time.

On July 15th, a pilot who was traveling as ACM was found BA positive, after which in hush hush ,India’s aviation regulator DGCA put the restriction on traveling as ACM in cockpit.This had a huge impact on entire aviation community .

ICPA( Indian Commercial Pilot Association) also requested DGCA for resuming ACM travel. ICPA urged “It is with grave concern that we received the notification that your good office has effectively banned the travel of pilots in the cockpit as Additional Crew Members (ACM). This we feel is a knee-jerk reaction by your officers to a recent incident, where a pilot who intended to travel as ACM failed his breathalyzer test. Sir, just because one individual failed a BA test, prohibiting the entire set of professionals from travelling as ACM is akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” ICPA General Secretary Capt. T Praveen Keerthi wrote to DGCA’s Director General Arun Kumar.

“A qualified crew member is always an asset in the cockpit. In the simplest form, it means another pair of eyes, ears and hands in the cockpit. One can easily understand that it enhances the level of safety and also security in the cockpit. If an emergency situation arises in the cockpit, the Additional Crew Member will be of invaluable assistance,” the Air India pilots’ body said.

As per the circular , issued by DGCA, all the below mentioned personals :

1. A crew member; or
2. An officer of the Civil Aviation Department or India Meteorological Department,authorized by the Director General of Civil Aviation to perform official duties in thecockpit of the aircraft; or
3. An officer in the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the rank of Joint Secretary and above, whoby virtue of his/her functions may enter the cockpit for inspection; or

• An employee of the aircraft operator, who has the permission of the pilot-in- command (PIC) and whose duties are such that his/her entry into the cockpit is necessary for safe operation of the aircraft; or
• Officials of the airline, who have been deputed for familiarization of flight for better practical understanding and knowledge of the functions of the instruments used in the cockpit provided prior permission has been obtained from the pilot-in- command; or
• Any flight crew member of the aircraft operator, who has been authorized by the aircraft operator and has the permission of PIC, whose presence in the cockpit shall be beneficial to the overall safety of operations; or
• A duly authorized representative of the manufacturer of the aircraft, who is required to observe the techniques used by the pilots and monitor the instruments provided prior permission of the pilot-in-command has been obtained for such entry; or
• Any other person authorized by the Director General of Civil Aviation.

They can travel as ACM but have to undergo pre flight medical compulsory.