DGCA directs airlines to track flights in real time
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in its directives, has made it mandatory for airlines and private operators to track their aircraft’s flight on real-time basis and ensure that necessary devices are functional before take-off.
As per the instructions issue by the DGCA:
- Indian scheduled and non-scheduled operators are required to track aircraft in real time using onboard Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) or Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B).
- Airlines and private operators have to ensure that all essential devices are functional before take-off.
- The instructions apply to both passenger and cargo planes.
- DGCA will review implementation of the directives during surveillance inspections.
Backdrop:
The directives have been issued close on the heels of vanishing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which has been missing for two months now. MH370 which took-off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing disappeared on March 8, 2014.
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Month: Current Affairs - May, 2014
Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs