5th June, 1998
1. INTRODUCTION
Flight Engineers are required for a few types of aircraft operating in India. To meet their requirements of flight engineers, some operators employ foreign flight engineers. These flight engineers are required to perform flight duties on the Indian registered aircraft.
Rule 45 of the Aircraft Rules provides that a licence granted by the competent authority of a foreign State may be validated for operating aircraft registered in India subject to the specified conditions. This AAC lays down the procedure for validation of foreign flight engineers' licences.
2. VALIDATION OF FOREIGN FLIGHT ENGINEERS' LICENCES.
Operators seeking approval to utilise the services of foreign flight engineers are required to fulfill the following minimum requirements.
2.1 Foreign flight engineers should be sponsored by the Indian operator for grant of validation.
2.2 The flight engineer should possess a valid F.E. licence conforming to ICAO standards.
2.3 The flight engineer should have atleast I 00 hours flight experience on the type of aircraft after the endorsement of aircraft type on his FE licence out of which atleast 20 hours should be in the preceding six months.
2.4 The flight engineer should be well conversant with the working procedures of the Indian operator as given in the operator's Operations Manual. In this regard Operations Manager/ Chief Flight Engineer should provide necessary briefing and training to the foreign flight engineer and give a certificate starting that the flight engineer has been trained and is well conversant with the operational procedures. The flight engineer should also be made familiar with the operator's Organisation structure, operations and engineering management and the duties and responsibilities assigned to him.
2.5 The flight engineer should be fully aware of the contents of the Flight Manual with regard to the duties performed by him. The F.E. should have proficient knowledge of English.
2.6 The operators should ensure validity of visa and passport of the foreign flight engineer at all times during the period of approval.
2.7 The operator should ensure that the medical examination of the flight engineer has been carried out and is valid during the period of working in India.
2.8 The operator should ensure that the necessary security clearance for the foreign flight engineer has been duly obtained before seeking approval.
2.9 The flight engineer should be examined by a Board under AIC 17/94.
3. Procedure for Security Clearance of Foreign Flight Eng ineers
The operators seeking approval of foreign flight engineers should apply to DGCA Hqrs for security clearance in the proforma given in Appendix 1.
In accordance with instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued vide OM No. 25022/61/86-F.1 dated 26th May, 1986, security clearance is not required in the following cases:
(a) Foreign technicians and experts coming to India for a period less than three months, in pursuance of a collaboration agreement between foreign and Indian firms, provided the agreement has been approved by Government of India.
(b) Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan.
(c) Officials and employees of U.N. and its specialised agencies.
4. Procedure of Examination under AIC 17 of 1994.
4.1 After receipt of security clearance of the foreign flight engineer, the DGCA Hqrs intimates the operator to approach regional/sub-regional airworthiness office for examination of their foreign flight engineer under AIC 17/94 for validation of his foreign licence. The examination will be conducted at Regional office by a board constituted by DAW/CAW of the regional/ sub-regional airworthiness office with the association of representative of DGCA Hqrs.
The board should ensure the following:
a. All relevant documents including qualifications, recency of experience, licence endorsements/ approvals held and medical and their validity are available.
b. The flight engineer has good knowledge of the operator's Operations Manual, company policies and procedures and his knowledge of the aircraft/engine/systems in general as relevant to his duties.
c. The flight engineer should be specifically examined on the special features unique to the aircraft operated by the firm.
d. If required, the flight engineer may be subjected to practical test on the type of aircraft to assess his knowledge and skill.
e. The familiarity of the flight engineer with the operations and engineering management structure, transit inspection and necessary certification in case of diversion, MEL, snag reporting etc. may be assessed.
f. The capability of the flight engineer to understand and communicate in the English language may also be examined.
9. The flight engineer may also be examined with regard to transit and preflight schedules and any additional items related to the job.
4.2 On successful completion of examination, Regional/Sub-regional Airworthiness office shall forward his recommendation to the Hqrs. regarding validation to the foreign flight engineer's licence. The flight engineer's licence will be validated under Rule 45 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, for a limited initial period of six months by DGCA Hqrs,
4.3 The validation will be subject to the following conditions:
i. The flight engineer continues to be in the employment of the sponsoring Organisation.
ii. The flight engineer licence remains current
iii. He is medically fit to exercise the privileges of his flight engineer's licence.
iv. Any other conditions specified by DGCA.
4.4 During the period of validity of flight engineer's licence the Operations Manager shall monitor the work performed by the foreign flight engineer and ensure that proper inspection and operation is carried out by the flight engineer.
5. Renewal of Validation.
The flight engineer licence of the foreign flight engineer shall be renewed on fulfilling the following conditions:
5.1 Passing the Air Regulations examination conducted by the Central Examination Organisation of DGCA. The Operations Manager/Chief Flight Engineer should forward the application for examination to C.E.O. along with a certificate of experience.
5.2 A recency of experience of not less than 20 hours of flight time as a flight engineer within a period of six months immediately preceding the date of application for renewal shall be required.
5.3 The flight engineer should have valid medical examination.
5.4 The flight engineer should continue to hold valid visa and passport.
(R. P. Sahi)
Director of Airworthiness
ANNEXURE I
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE OF FOREIGN ENGINEERS/FLIGHT ENGINEERS
1. Name of the Engineer/Flight Engineer
2. Nationality
3 Permanent Address
4. Date of Birth
5. a) Passport No.
b) Validity
6. Visa details
7. Details of the licence held
a) Country of issue
b) Validity
c) Medical
d) Rating/endorsement
8. Flying/Maintenance Experience:
a) Total experience
b) Type of aircraft for which authorisation has been sought
c) Experience during the Previous one year
d) Date when last flown
9. Past history details (Any accidents, incidents, suspension of the licence)
10. Level of knowledge of English language
II. Whether previously operated Indian registered aircraft.
12. Any other information
SIGNATURE OF THE AUTHORISED PERSON
ANNEXURE II
Name of the Issuing Office)
APPROVAL NO.
Name:
Holder's Licence No.:
(If applicable)
Sponsoring Organisation:
Scope of Approval:
Restriction:
This approval is issued under the authority of sub-rule (7) of Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and is subjected to the following conditions:
(i) The holder continues to be in employment of sponsoring Organisation.
(ii) The holder's licence remains current (if applicable) and he is medically fit to exercise the privileges of the approval.
(iii) The work certified by the holder under this approval shall be qualified with the statement 'Under Approval from DGCA' quoting the approval number and date.
(iv) The approval is valid for a period as specified below and can be withdrawn at any time if deemed necessary by DGCA-
Authorised Signatory
Seal of Office
Valid from To Authorised Signatory
Seal of Office