Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to develop guidelines for VIP flight operations. The aviation regulatory body will introduce certain regulations which have to be strictly followed by the flight crews and the airline companies.
CAAN has informed to implement the regulations by this fiscal year. This initiation has been made following the Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Taplejung which killed VIPs including Aviation minister Rabindra Adhikari.
Recently, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has started investigation after the Yeti Airlines aircraft carrying Honorable Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli remained in a holding pattern before landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Tuesday.
MoCTCA has set up an investigation team to be led by Joint Secretary Suresh Acharya. There is a standard practice to provide optimum priority to the VVIP flights by the Air Traffic Controller.
The ministry officials said that the standards need to be followed to keep the security at maximum level so, CAAN has come up with the decision to implement regulations for VIP flights.
Mostly helicopter pilots are said to be forced by their companies for operating flights during unfavorable conditions. So, CAAN has also warned helicopter companies to improve their safety practices.
VIP flight regulations may require Pilot-in-Command (PIC) to have a significant flying experience and also the night flying experience. Pilots, crew and engineers recruitment rules may apply along with their training programs.
Likewise, certain set of mandatory rules during flight operation may also be introduced.
Helicopters to fly with one sear removed
The aviation regulatory body Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has decided to remove a seat from helicopters operating in Nepal.
CAAN in coordination with the helicopter service providers has instructed to remove one seat from today. The authority came into this decision after knowing the helicopters carrying passengers haphazardly.
The seat beside the pilot is set to be removed in aim of reducing safety hazards. Helicopter society of Nepal (HSoN) also informed that various discussions are being carried out to keep the aviation safety at the utmost level.
The recent meeting held between the operators and CAAN has decided to remove the bench seat (seat beside the pilot) from the helicopters with the capacity of 6+1 seats.
An official from CAAN said that regular meetings, discussions and seminars would be conducted to make helicopter flight operation safest.
CAAN has also instructed helicopter operators to strictly follow the flight regulations and keep a close eye on potential threat due to unfavorable weather. Frequent trainings are being conducted for pilots, engineers and operational staffs.
Earlier, Air Dynasty helicopter crash killed 7 people including aviation minister Rabindra Adhikari and it has been criticized that the helicopter carried passengers beyond the standard practice.
There is a high chance of misuse of bench seat so, CAAN is removing the seat from the helicopters. HSoN is also preparing to conduct safety assessment and audit of every helicopter operators. The society will instruct airlines to improve safety practices.
