Friday, March 28, 2014

DGCA grounds 3 flights for safety-norm violations

NEW DELHI, March 28, 2014, DHNS:


The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday refused to allow a private chartered flight to take off from Delhi and two others in Mumbai for violating safety norms.

In Delhi, a Hawker 800 XP of SRC Aviation, which was to fly to Colombo, was not allowed to take off for several hours as DGCA officials found several safety violations, like absence of life jackets or minimum equipment list, during a search.

In Mumbai, officials held up two flights—one of L&T and the other of Poonawalla Aviation company—on the same grounds, said sources.


The tough action comes at a time when more and more private choppers and small aircraft are being used by political leaders across the country for poll campaigning. A week ago, the DGCA grounded a Reliance Industries-owned 14-seater Falcon 900EX and suspended its pilot for violating safety norms. While the aircraft was released after the deficiencies were rectified, sources said the Reliance pilot has now been dismissed.

The regulator, which had also issued show-cause notices to SpiceJet on safety violations after its flight crew danced on board a flight to celebrate Holi, has also received a letter from the no-frills carrier saying it would not repeat such activities without the DGCA's permission.

The DGCA has also decided to enhance the period of pilots' licence renewal from two to five years, subject to the airlines and the cockpit crew meeting all requirements. The decision was taken at a meeting between the aviation regulator's top-brass and senior officials from all Indian carriers.

The decision to enhance the period was being taken only under the condition that the onus of carrying out all other checks and tests would lie on the airlines and their pilots. Such a move would also lessen the burden on the DGCA, which is facing a staff crunch, said officials. 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Could missing jet be in AUSTRALIA? Search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 extends to more than 15 countries

Mail Online Link


  • Chief of Australia's Defence Force re-deploys two search planes 
  • Australia among more than 15 countries where plane could be found
  • Search will move to the north and west of Cocos Islands
Australia has extended its search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 to include parts of the Indian Ocean.
Malaysia's Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says Australia is among more than 15 countries considered to be possible locations for MH370, which has been missing since March 8, The Age reports.
Other countries in the search include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and France.
It could be anywhere: Malaysian authorities have called on Australia to broaden its search in the Indian Ocean
It could be anywhere: Malaysian authorities have called on Australia to broaden its search in the Indian Ocean
Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General David Hurley, has re-deployed two planes in the search for MH370
Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General David Hurley, has re-deployed two planes in the search for MH370
'Malaysian officials are requesting assistance from these countries,' Mr Hishammuddin said.
'Officials are also asking countries to provide further assistance in the search for the aircraft including satellite data and analysis, ground search capabilities, radar data and maritime and air assets.'
The Boeing 777 was last picked up on satellite at 8.11am on March 8. Authorities are considering hijacking and piracy as possible reasons behind the plane's disappearance.
Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General David Hurley, confirmed Australia had been asked to help broaden the search area off the country's north-west coast.
'One RAAF AP-3C Orion commenced searching the Indian Ocean to the north and west of the Cocos Islands,' he said last night.
'This aircraft is expected to recover to the Cocos Islands overnight and launch from that location on Monday to maximise mission time in the expanded search area.'
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed on Monday afternoon that Australia would lead the extensive Indian Ocean search, after speaking with Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.

'I agreed that we would do so,' Mr Abbott told Parliament.

'I offered the Malaysian Prime Minister additional maritime surveillance resources which he gratefully accepted.

'I wish to assure the House and the Australian people that Australia will do its duty in this matter.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2582373/Australia-searches-Indian-Ocean-missing-Malaysian-Airlines-flight-MH370.html#ixzz32tMl6cJV
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Sunday, March 9, 2014

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES FLIGHT MH370 MISSING

Tragic news coming from Malaysia of missing Malaysian Airlines B777 with 227 passengers and 12 Crew enroute from Kuala Lumpur to China.

Our Prayers are with the families of the Pax and Crew.