Char Dham helicopter operators threaten to halt services over pilot rule
Eleven operators plan to suspend charter services from November 2, citing financial unviability of the new two-pilot mandate.
Char Dham helicopter operators threatened on Sunday to suspend charter services from November 2, following a new mandate by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) requiring two pilots on every sortie.
According to The Hindu, the two-pilot rule was introduced after an October 30 helicopter crash in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath killed six people, including the pilot. The operators stated in a collective representation that the requirement would make operations financially unviable due to increased costs for crew, accommodation, and logistics.
The 11 operators, including Himalayan Heli Services and Trans Bharat Aviation, argued that the additional costs cannot be absorbed by them or passed on to customers. They have requested an urgent review to find a mutually workable solution.
The new regulations also require co-pilots to be qualified for hilly terrain and mandate that crew members submit a Pilot Report (PIREP) after every flight detailing weather and operational information.
One anonymous operator questioned the weather-related cause of the Joshimath crash, alleging that videos showed clear visibility. Another operator claimed that previous complaints regarding drones and paragliding activity near flight routes had gone unheeded by UCADA.
UCADA CEO Prateek Jain said the possibility of a drone hitting the helicopter is being investigated. He added that specific routes have been chalked out for choppers and police have been asked not to permit drone operations near temples or helicopter routes.