DGCA Stiffens Fatigue Rules, Mandates Airlines to Train Roster Planners and File Quarterly Reports

DGCA mandates flight fatigue management training for schedulers and dispatchers who prepare rosters for pilots and seeks to strengthen measures to address persistent fatigue concerns among cockpit crews.

Also, the DGCA, in a circular dated November 20, has directed airlines to submit quarterly fatigue reports, comprising the number of crew trained in fatigue management and the number of fatigue reports received, accepted or rejected. The airlines should also state the reasons for rejecting any fatigue reports.

IndiGo and Air India had initially opposed the implementation of the new norms. The second phase, with some relaxations, of the revised norms came into force from November 1. "The fatigue off should be no less than 24 hours and include one local night and must have a fatigue risk management policy, an education and awareness training program, a fatigue reporting system, a system for monitoring flight crew fatigue and an incident reporting process. As stated in the circular, an audit was conducted of all scheduled operators to evaluate the implementation of the first phase of the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation) norms from July, and it was found that the operators were uncertain of the scope of Annual Fatigue Training to be implemented.

The annual fatigue training would be defined in the operations manual and would have at least 1 hour of training scheduled during the Annual Ground Training for operators. "The training might be combined with schedulers, dispatch staff and all personnel responsible for the implementation of various provisions of this Civil Aviation Requirement. The fatigue training should be conducted by trained staff and should comprise its effect on the flight crew and measures to mitigate crew fatigue," the circular said. Airlines will issue a fatigue reporting policy as a circular to all stakeholders, the DGCA said, adding that the operators should have an independent Fatigue Review Committee that will analyze and recommend measures to ease fatigue.

Source: Economic Times