The “DGCA proposal to introduce parallel,” flexible “framework frms through a subordinate tool, such as an operating circular, is deeply disturbing,” said the Federation of Indian Pilots. File | Photo Credit: Hind
The pilot unions and aviation regulators are on the verge of further confrontation because the first rejected the new approach to controlled fatigue, which claims to undermine working hours at the beginning of this year Delhi High Court and was “dangerously premature” for a country with poor safety transition.
Comments are part of the answers presented before DGCA after his e-mail 3. September airlines and pilot trade unions looking for comments on the proposal for advice on implementation of fatigue management (FRMS), which is an approach based on data that monitors and manages the security risks related to fatigue. Every airline develops and follows its own FRMS.
“The Dgca’s proposal to intra -and -paralel, ‘Flexible’ Flexible ‘FRMS Framework VIA and Subordinate Instrument Like An Operations Circular Is Deeply Disconcerting. The Proper and Legally Mandated Instrument for Such and Fundamental Change in Safety Policy is and Civil Aviation Requirement (Car) Legislat Rigour, Transparency, And and Statutors Right for All Stakeholders to Be Heard Through and Wide-Body Consultation Process, ”The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) wrote in her answer that Hindu reviewed. He said that such a step could lead to “security degradation”.
They protested against the introduction of the FrMS month after the High Court in Delhi set new limits for the period and period of rest. In its 24 February 2025, the Regulation, the court ordered an increase in weekly pilots rest from 36 to 48 hours from 1 July. Airlines are also shortened by airline from November 1.
FIP claims that FRMS is “dangerously premature” for the Indian Air Ecosystem because the international civil aviation organization (ICAO) Unviation Safety (ICAO) states that FRMS’s effective supervision requires well -trained state inspectors and adequate sources and also warned.
The Union requires DGCA to first demonstrate the complete compliance with the new standards ordered by the court, which must still be fully performed.
The body of other pilots, the Indian Pilots Associations of airlines, said that airlines that each develop their own FRMS instrument could not prove “fair culture” in their organization, such as the re -classification of pilots who mention fatigue as “sick”.
Both trade unions said that statistical models used in FRMS tools that use scientific research of sleep and circadian rhythms to predict the level of fatigue and vigilance after a combination of organizational data, such as the length of the shift or the recovery of human biology, can be manipulated by airlines that can easily select filters to control tool results.
They demanded that the pilot trade unions to become part of the fatigue security group of every airline (FSAG) and in all DGCA and working groups’ supervision committees as an air pilot, a confused target of independent monitoring.
Published – 16 September 2025 06:58 IS
