John F Kennedy --- "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.".
I choose to start this blog with a quote that inspired a generation to land a man on the moon and bring him safely back. An arduous task undertaken by a generation less advance in terms of technology and having to do a task more difficult than one at hand.
Anyways back to earth and to aviation in India.
There is a lot of activity happening in the DGCA around the personnel licensing and examination.
The latest in the series of events is the report on System of examination and licensing of personnel.
The report link: http://dgca.nic.in/reports/Report_Lic.pdf
The report aims to address a lot of issues faced by candidates appearing the exam. These issues include frequency of exams, online or offline, paperwork verification, cheating, fraudulent logging of hours, validity of examinations, syllabus and question banks etc.
The following are the with comments from yours truly:
Recommendations from DGCA report on system of examination and licensing of personnel:
Recommendation 1: The Committee considers that examination conducted by CEO is part of the licensing process and should have the responsibility to initiate some of the processes which are presently being undertaken by the Licensing Directorate.
Processes involving verification of basic qualification should therefore be initiated by CEO at the time of issue of Computer No. so that the same is completed by the time the candidate becomes eligible for issue of licence.
Blogger Comment: More power to CEO and the verification at the time of issue of computer number could expedite license issue.
Recommendation 2:
In this regard, the Committee makes the following recommendations:
1. DGCA should adopt computerization of all the activities related to the examination including online registration for examination, allotment of roll number, scheduling of examination dates, conduct of online/ computer-based examination, processing and declaration of result.
2. DGCA has already taken initiative for recommendation at S. No. 1 above, should therefore go in examination in a phased manner starting with ATPL exam.
3. In order to avoid instances of impersonation during conduct of examination, verification of the candidate's identity by use of biometrics is suggested.
Blogger Comment: Brilliant step, I think its a great move. We could use Biometric and maybe tie it with UID.
Recommendation 3:
The Committee reviewed the preparation of software application by NIC in this regard and makes the following recommendations:
1. In ideal situation, the best option would be to have an end-to-end solution wherein software application and infrastructure for conduct of computer based examination is provided by one agency.
2. Since at present NIC is already in advanced stages of preparing the software application, DGCA should opt for hiring of infrastructure of an agency for conducting examination using the software application prepared by NIC.
3. In future, DGCA should consider outsourcing the entire examination system, subject to all security precautions being ensured. In this regard, DGCA should review the examination system being followed internationally by various regulatory authorities.
Blogger Comment: Brilliant step, I think its a great move. I could suggest pearson vue or some other reputed examination conduction firm.
Recommendation 4:
The validity of two and a half years and five years was considered to be adequate, however, the Committee observed that a candidate should be given the flexibility to appear for examination as per dates of his choice as is done in most of other countries. To be able to do this, the present system of paper examination needs to be discontinued and online computer based examination introduced. Further, DGCA should consider placing restrictions on the number of attempts for appearing in the pilot examination.
Blogger Comment: I wont get tired of saying this going online is a great move.
Recommendation 5: DGCA should also make available the list of study material for the students.
Blogger Comment: This has been missing for a while and am glad is now being looked into.
Recommendation 6:
1. The Committee recommends that the question bank needs to be enhanced.
2. While framing questions, DGCA should ensure that they are strictly as per the laid down syllabus.
3. DGCA should prepare a question bank containing large number of questions. An ideal ratio of 1:10 is suggested.
4. The questions should be properly vetted to prevent subsequent objections from examinees.
Blogger Comment: This has been missing for a while and am glad is now being looked into. This will be a very good start towards a transparent fair system of examination.
Recommendation 7:
The Committee recommends that the result processed in CEO is electronically merged with the DTL records.
Blogger Comment: A centralized database with multi-location back-ups is the way forward. A welcome recommendation.
Recommendation 8: In order to speed up the process, the Committee,considering that the examination by CEO is part of the license process recommends that such verification is initiated at the time of allotment of Computer No.
Blogger Comment: The verification at the time of issue of computer number could expedite issue of license. Good move.
Recommendation 9: The Committee considering that only such persons who have an aptitude for flying, come into the profession recommends that an entry level examination is taken prior to giving admission. Further the committee recommends that such examination should cover an aptitude and a psychometric test. These tests may be conducted by the proposed agency who would conduct the examination on behalf of DGCA in future (Recommendation 3) and till such an agency is setup/identified,by IGRUA.
Blogger Comment: I am not sure how i feel about this one. I understand a need for candidates with aptitude for flying and all, but this could hamper hobby flying etc (would it be required for those interested in only PPL???). The introduction of an external agency to conduct any additional tests adds to the complications. We will wait to see how this pans out.
Recommendation 10: The Committee recommends that provision for acquiring/obtaining flying experience directly from the flying institutes is considered. Further, DGCA should explore the possibility of bringing the movements of training aircraft of various flying clubs online. Such monitoring of the aircraft of all the flying clubs will minimize manipulation of log books.
Blogger Comment: Again not sure about this one. I feel this one is a bit ambitious. In theory its a great idea to bring in transparency, however, the amount of data to be processed and stored is too much Will have to wait and see as it unfolds.
Recommendation 11: The Committee considered that the root cause of unfair means adopted by pilots was their repeated failures in the written examinations. The Committee felt that there is a need to create state-of-the-art training facilities in the country for pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
Blogger Comment: hmmm root cause is debatable. The introduction of training centres is a welcome move. It will also help standardise tution centers giving candidates more option. Will have to wait for implementation.
Recommendation 12: The Committee based on the above factors and after detailed deliberations recommends that a unified data base for licensing of personnel (pilots, AME and ATCOs) should be developed. The comprehensive licensing system should include:
a) Minimum human interface;
b) Interface with examination and medical;
c) Interface with other agencies vis-a-vis flying training institutes and airlines for obtaining information pertaining to movement of aircraft, their maintenance, actual time flown and other related data directly.
d) Use of digitized pilot log book. Introduction of bio-metric identification systems.
e) Introduction of smart card license with a microchip, having all details of the license holders.
Blogger Comment: A centralized database with multi-location back-ups is the way forward. A welcome recommendation. Sounds like a super DGCA
In conclusion:
There are some really good ideas that can be immediately implemented and some great ideas are harder to implement and sustain. The implementation would be the key that will decide the fate of future candidates. The centralisation of power to CEO is a good move but needs to be overlooked closely to avoid abuse of the same. These implementation would be considerable difficult as it will require a lot of effort to reshape the entire system. It is possible though and if we can take inspiration from teh words i borrowed from the late US president we wont take less than a decade to implement them. All the Best DGCA
Feel free to share your comments on opinions....
I choose to start this blog with a quote that inspired a generation to land a man on the moon and bring him safely back. An arduous task undertaken by a generation less advance in terms of technology and having to do a task more difficult than one at hand.
Anyways back to earth and to aviation in India.
There is a lot of activity happening in the DGCA around the personnel licensing and examination.
The latest in the series of events is the report on System of examination and licensing of personnel.
The report link: http://dgca.nic.in/reports/Report_Lic.pdf
The report aims to address a lot of issues faced by candidates appearing the exam. These issues include frequency of exams, online or offline, paperwork verification, cheating, fraudulent logging of hours, validity of examinations, syllabus and question banks etc.
The following are the with comments from yours truly:
Recommendations from DGCA report on system of examination and licensing of personnel:
Recommendation 1: The Committee considers that examination conducted by CEO is part of the licensing process and should have the responsibility to initiate some of the processes which are presently being undertaken by the Licensing Directorate.
Processes involving verification of basic qualification should therefore be initiated by CEO at the time of issue of Computer No. so that the same is completed by the time the candidate becomes eligible for issue of licence.
Blogger Comment: More power to CEO and the verification at the time of issue of computer number could expedite license issue.
Recommendation 2:
In this regard, the Committee makes the following recommendations:
1. DGCA should adopt computerization of all the activities related to the examination including online registration for examination, allotment of roll number, scheduling of examination dates, conduct of online/ computer-based examination, processing and declaration of result.
2. DGCA has already taken initiative for recommendation at S. No. 1 above, should therefore go in examination in a phased manner starting with ATPL exam.
3. In order to avoid instances of impersonation during conduct of examination, verification of the candidate's identity by use of biometrics is suggested.
Blogger Comment: Brilliant step, I think its a great move. We could use Biometric and maybe tie it with UID.
Recommendation 3:
The Committee reviewed the preparation of software application by NIC in this regard and makes the following recommendations:
1. In ideal situation, the best option would be to have an end-to-end solution wherein software application and infrastructure for conduct of computer based examination is provided by one agency.
2. Since at present NIC is already in advanced stages of preparing the software application, DGCA should opt for hiring of infrastructure of an agency for conducting examination using the software application prepared by NIC.
3. In future, DGCA should consider outsourcing the entire examination system, subject to all security precautions being ensured. In this regard, DGCA should review the examination system being followed internationally by various regulatory authorities.
Blogger Comment: Brilliant step, I think its a great move. I could suggest pearson vue or some other reputed examination conduction firm.
Recommendation 4:
The validity of two and a half years and five years was considered to be adequate, however, the Committee observed that a candidate should be given the flexibility to appear for examination as per dates of his choice as is done in most of other countries. To be able to do this, the present system of paper examination needs to be discontinued and online computer based examination introduced. Further, DGCA should consider placing restrictions on the number of attempts for appearing in the pilot examination.
Blogger Comment: I wont get tired of saying this going online is a great move.
Recommendation 5: DGCA should also make available the list of study material for the students.
Blogger Comment: This has been missing for a while and am glad is now being looked into.
Recommendation 6:
1. The Committee recommends that the question bank needs to be enhanced.
2. While framing questions, DGCA should ensure that they are strictly as per the laid down syllabus.
3. DGCA should prepare a question bank containing large number of questions. An ideal ratio of 1:10 is suggested.
4. The questions should be properly vetted to prevent subsequent objections from examinees.
Blogger Comment: This has been missing for a while and am glad is now being looked into. This will be a very good start towards a transparent fair system of examination.
Recommendation 7:
The Committee recommends that the result processed in CEO is electronically merged with the DTL records.
Blogger Comment: A centralized database with multi-location back-ups is the way forward. A welcome recommendation.
Recommendation 8: In order to speed up the process, the Committee,considering that the examination by CEO is part of the license process recommends that such verification is initiated at the time of allotment of Computer No.
Blogger Comment: The verification at the time of issue of computer number could expedite issue of license. Good move.
Recommendation 9: The Committee considering that only such persons who have an aptitude for flying, come into the profession recommends that an entry level examination is taken prior to giving admission. Further the committee recommends that such examination should cover an aptitude and a psychometric test. These tests may be conducted by the proposed agency who would conduct the examination on behalf of DGCA in future (Recommendation 3) and till such an agency is setup/identified,by IGRUA.
Blogger Comment: I am not sure how i feel about this one. I understand a need for candidates with aptitude for flying and all, but this could hamper hobby flying etc (would it be required for those interested in only PPL???). The introduction of an external agency to conduct any additional tests adds to the complications. We will wait to see how this pans out.
Recommendation 10: The Committee recommends that provision for acquiring/obtaining flying experience directly from the flying institutes is considered. Further, DGCA should explore the possibility of bringing the movements of training aircraft of various flying clubs online. Such monitoring of the aircraft of all the flying clubs will minimize manipulation of log books.
Blogger Comment: Again not sure about this one. I feel this one is a bit ambitious. In theory its a great idea to bring in transparency, however, the amount of data to be processed and stored is too much Will have to wait and see as it unfolds.
Recommendation 11: The Committee considered that the root cause of unfair means adopted by pilots was their repeated failures in the written examinations. The Committee felt that there is a need to create state-of-the-art training facilities in the country for pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.
Blogger Comment: hmmm root cause is debatable. The introduction of training centres is a welcome move. It will also help standardise tution centers giving candidates more option. Will have to wait for implementation.
Recommendation 12: The Committee based on the above factors and after detailed deliberations recommends that a unified data base for licensing of personnel (pilots, AME and ATCOs) should be developed. The comprehensive licensing system should include:
a) Minimum human interface;
b) Interface with examination and medical;
c) Interface with other agencies vis-a-vis flying training institutes and airlines for obtaining information pertaining to movement of aircraft, their maintenance, actual time flown and other related data directly.
d) Use of digitized pilot log book. Introduction of bio-metric identification systems.
e) Introduction of smart card license with a microchip, having all details of the license holders.
Blogger Comment: A centralized database with multi-location back-ups is the way forward. A welcome recommendation. Sounds like a super DGCA
In conclusion:
There are some really good ideas that can be immediately implemented and some great ideas are harder to implement and sustain. The implementation would be the key that will decide the fate of future candidates. The centralisation of power to CEO is a good move but needs to be overlooked closely to avoid abuse of the same. These implementation would be considerable difficult as it will require a lot of effort to reshape the entire system. It is possible though and if we can take inspiration from teh words i borrowed from the late US president we wont take less than a decade to implement them. All the Best DGCA
Feel free to share your comments on opinions....
