Aviation experts point out loopholes in the execution of a recent govt order permitting the use of private aircraft in emergencies. Aditya Anand reports
Aviation experts point out loopholes in the execution of a recent govt order permitting the use of private aircraft in emergencies. Aditya Anand reports
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Said Ashish Kumar, who has several years of experience with ground handling and co-ordination between aviation agencies, "Both the ideas (approaching scheduled operators or corporate houses) need a co-ordination mechanism." Aviation expert Air Commodore Ashok Rai echoed this. "Though an aircraft will be made available eventually, a separate protocol to deal with a specific motive, like flying the NSG, needs to be in place for things to move quickly," he said.
However, the DGCA does not have a 24-hour control room to handle such emergencies yet. The director general of DGCA, Dr Naseem Zaidi, said, "The matter is open to discussion. A permanent co-ordination mechanism can be set up, if required."
Problem 2: Strategic positioning
Another roadblock, said an Air India official, is that private scheduled operators (Air India included) strategically positioned their aircraft for night halts. "So, getting an aircraft during working hours would be simpler then after sunset," he said.u00a0
Problem 3: All aircraft not suitable
Kumar also pointed out that it isn't enough to find just any aircraft. "It is very essential to find the right aircraft. The best suited aircraft for the NSG will be a transporter aircraft and not a passenger aircraft."u00a0
Added Rai, "The number of men who need to be moved will ascertain the type of aircraft that needs to be deployed. Had the Air Force's Embrayer been used then (26/11) only a small number of commandos would have been accommodated."u00a0u00a0
Reality check
On December 14, Narayan Pardhe, a policeman travelling with CM Ashok Chavan's convoy sustained critical cervical spine injury in an accident in Nanded. Even though the CM wanted Pardhe air lifted, he had to be kept at the Nanded government hospital for two days, as the only available air ambulance was in New Delhi.
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