New Delhi,mar 12:
Aviation watchdog DGCA Monday issued strict safety instructions for flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes by SpiceJet and Jet Airways, including that the pilot-in-command should have at least 1,000 hours of flying experience, a day after an aircraft crash that killed 157 people in Ethiopia.Taking serious note of the second deadly crash involving a 737 MAX plane globally in less than five months, the civil aviation ministry also ordered a “safety assessment” of these aircraft and the watchdog is also holding consultation with safety regulators around the world.In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said interim safety measures are being taken with inputs available at this stage.
“The minimum experience level of crew operating B737 Max aircraft to fly as PIC (Pilot-in-Command) is 1,000 hours and co-pilot is 500 hours on Boeing 737 NG aircraft type,” the regulator said.Besides, SpiceJet and Jet Airways have been asked to ensure various requirements are complied with by engineering and maintenance personnel with respect to 737 MAX 8 planes.These include conditions that Minimum Equipment List (MEL) would not be released for operating an aircraft in case dual auto pilot mode and certain other parts are inoperative.Any error which comes across would have to be rectified before releasing the aircraft for line maintenance as well as ensuring that angle of attack’ (AOA) is in null position.Generally, AOA is crucial in determining the angle at which an aircraft flies relative to the direction of air.
