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Under cloud DGCA appoints 'ineligible' flight inspector (India)

CHENNAI: Hardly a month after the US flight safety regulator warned of downgrading the Indian aviation sector for safety lapses and conflict of interest, it was found that a flight operations inspector (FOI) was appointed in violation of norms. Even after failing the pilot-in-command line test in his first attempt, M Khaleel Anwar was elevated to the post of examiner and subsequently as FOI, flouting civil aviation requirements (CAR) laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The norms prevent pilots who fail the first command training from becoming an examiner or FOI. Moreover, a note sent by the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC) to the DGCA said Anwar is holding a US passport (FOI posts are only for Indian citizens as the job involves handling classified aviation documents). It also said Anwar owns a Houston-based company that supplied software for DGCA's automation project. Anwar is also holding the post of chief pilot ATR with Jet Airways.