AI, pilots in spat on new flying rule
Strong differences between the Air India management and a section of the airline’s pilots belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines appears to have emerged over the airline’s purported directive to reduce the two-engine acceleration altitude from 1,500 feet above ground level to 800 feet above ground level in case of some of the narrow-body Airbus aircraft from certain airports, even as Air India said “the changes in flight operation procedures, notified by the Airline recently, fully comply with all operating standards and do not in any way compromise air safety”.
The acceleration altitude refers to the altitude attained by the aircraft after take-off at which the aircraft puts its nose down, accelerates to attain the speed to be followed on route and retracts its flaps.
The spat seems to have broken out with the union pilots protesting against the move by the airline and alleging that a change in the operational policy having a direct impact on flight safety had been circulated contrary to established procedure. The union pilots had also said earlier that they would not be party to any regulatory violations.
But in a statement, national carrier Air India said, “Some media reports have appeared including in the electronic media in the last two days about a change in Flight Operating Procedures with respect to narrow-body A320 aircraft operated by Air India. These media reports have speculated that the change in flight operation procedures may have an adverse impact on flight safety. Air India would like to reiterate with emphasis that safety of aircraft, passenger and operations is paramount at Air India. That the changes in Flight Operation Procedures, notified by the Airline recently, fully comply with all operating standards and do not in any way compromise air safety.”
However, the Air India statement made no reference to any reason for the recent changes in the flight operation procedures, especially on speculation that the changes may have been resorted to in order to save fuel and engage in cost-cutting.
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