Subsequent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rescinding its endorsement for the Pipistrel SW121 aircraft for training commercial aviators, the fate of approximately 40 apprentice aviators at Odisha’s Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) is ensnared in uncertainty.
During an interview with ETV Bharat, Captain Jati Dhillon, CEO of GATI and a former Naval Commander and Aviator, expounded on DGCA’s withdrawal, noting, “Competitor aircraft distributors perceive the Pipistrel Virus SW121 as encroaching upon their market share due to its markedly superior capabilities and economical acquisition and operational costs. Concurrently, competitor flight schools view us as a competitive threat, notwithstanding that the Indian Pilot Training Industry merely constitutes 20-30 percent of the extant demand.”
He added, “I interpret this as repercussion for my whistleblowing against the arbitrary and corrupt practices of the erstwhile Director of Flight Training, conveyed through my complaint to the Honorable Minister of Civil Aviation in October 2023,” alluding to Captain Anil Gill, who faced suspension last year amidst allegations of malpractice.
This rescission by the DGCA materialized nearly 18 months post its initial approval of the trainer aircraft.
Presently, affected students have resorted to the Delhi High Court in opposition to the DGCA’s notification on February 26. The notification revised the aircraft’s classification, effectively precluding its utilization in training commercial pilots.
Captain Dhillon stated, “Furthermore, DGCA has denied commercial pilot licenses to the first three trainees who completed their regimen on the Pipistrel aircraft, leaving them in limbo.”
An anonymous industry pundit remarked, “These three candidates submitted their documentation in November 2023, and per regulations, should have received their certificates within 30 days. However, their applications were rebuffed in March 2024. This raises suspicions; if the intention was to annul their certifications, it should have been expedited. Why the delay?”
It merits mention that on February 26, DGCA notified GATI that its expert panel had determined the Pipistrel SW121 aircraft to be a Light Sport Aeroplane (LSA).
Insiders stated, “DGCA has not cited specific regulations underpinning this reclassification to LSA from the NORMAL category. They referenced an expert panel, whereas the certificate was issued by the competent division within DGCA following due process, namely the Aircraft Engineering Department (AED) section and the Directorate of Airworthiness (DAW).”
“Per published regulations, Light Sport Aircraft are only issued a “Special Certificate of Airworthiness” under Rule 49I of the Indian Aircraft Rules, whereas the Pipistrel SW121 possesses a “Certificate of Airworthiness” issued under Rule 49E. Notably, this aircraft is utilized unimpeded for flight instruction throughout Europe,” insiders revealed.
“The paradox lies in the fact that a pilot obtains a CPL overseas while piloting the Pipistrel SW121 in Europe, and then DGCA converts it to an Indian CPL, whereas the same aircraft cannot be employed in India. This encourages students to seek CPL abroad at more economical rates, thereby placing Indian FTOs at a disadvantage,” they elaborated.
As per DGCA regulations, LSAs weigh over 450 kg but must not exceed 600 kg, with a speed cap of 45 knots. However, the SW121 aircraft has a weight of 600 kg with a maximum speed of 53 knots.
An aviation pundit opined, “The SW121 aircraft could have been transformative owing to its versatility. The overarching objective was to introduce the electric SW121 into the aviation sector and procure CPLs on this electric variant. This would have mitigated industry costs, particularly in a nation like India where poverty is rampant, thereby reducing the financial barrier to becoming an airline pilot alongside diminishing carbon emissions.”
Representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA remained unavailable for comment.