DGCA mandates two pilots on Char Dham helicopter flights, 11 operators threaten to suspend services

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made it mandatory for helicopter operators conducting charter services on the Char Dham routes to deploy two pilots on every flight from November 2, tightening safety requirements following a fatal helicopter crash in Uttarakhand that killed six people on Friday.

The move has, however, prompted 11 operators to threaten a suspension of services from the same date, arguing that additional crew and logistical costs would make operations commercially unviable.

The DGCA has also mandated that the co-pilot must be qualified to operate in hilly terrain.


Also, operators will now have to obtain positive destination and en-route clearance from the control room at Sahastradhara before taking off for every flight sector. Pilots will also have to submit a pilot report (PIREP) after landing at each destination helipad, detailing weather conditions and other operational information encountered during the flight.

The directions were issued after a meeting with helicopter operators and Uttarakhand aviation officials on Saturday.

The new measures follow the October 30 crash of a helicopter operated by Trans Bharat Aviation near Chhai village in Chamoli district. The helicopter, which was returning from Badrinath towards Dehradun, crashed into a hillside, killing the pilot and five passengers on board.