Proposal for a Novel Fatigue Risk Management System to Enhance Aviation Safety by DGCA
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has recently released draft guidelines for a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) for airlines, aiming to enhance flight safety through scientific, data-driven fatigue management approaches.
India, one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets, is set to implement these guidelines, which propose detailed guidance on FRMS approval, implementation, and oversight. The new guidelines are intended to complement existing flight duty time limitation norms.
Airlines in India have the flexibility to choose from three approaches: following the prescriptive Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, implementing FRMS, or a hybrid approach with DGCA approval. However, an application for FRMS implementation will only be considered if the operator has an effective and successful Fatigue Safety Action Group (FSAG) in place.
The proposed FRMS framework suggests a phased implementation approach for operators, transitioning from prescriptive regulations with a 12-month grace period for compliance. The guidelines also propose grandfathering and transition provisions for FRMS implementation.
The FRMS should include minimum rest requirements that ensure adequate recovery opportunities and have maximum flight time, flight duty period, and duty period limits based on scientific principles. Moreover, the system should have performance monitoring systems to track safety outcomes.
Officials from various departments at an airline will be part of the FSAG concerned. The DGCA has asked for comments from stakeholders on the proposed FRMS guidelines by September 15.
Meanwhile, the Indian aviation industry is expanding rapidly. According to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, India will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15-20 years due to domestic airlines having over 1,700 planes on order as they expand their network.
It's worth noting that the government has proposed an 18% GST on business class tickets, although the new guidelines do not mention any changes in the GST rate for economy class tickets.
FRMS can be modified by airlines, depending on their requirements, with DGCA approval. The DGCA has already implemented revised FDTL norms for pilots in a phased manner.
The implementation of these guidelines is expected to further strengthen India's commitment to ensuring the highest levels of flight safety in its rapidly growing civil aviation sector.
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