Air India pilot, co-pilot face DGCA action for allowing friend in cockpit

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday suspended licence of an Air India pilot for a term of one year for allowing a female friend in cockpit. Meanwhile, the licence of the first officer has been suspended for a period of one month by the aviation regulator. "The first officer did not raise any concern about the unauthorised entry. Based on DGCA's investigation the following actions have been taken; (1) the pilot license of the PIC has been suspended for a period of one year & (2) The pilot License of the First Officer has been suspended for a period of one month for not being assertive in preventing and non-reporting of the violation," ANI quoted DGCA as saying. Following the incident that took place on June 3, the DGCA ordered grounding of both pilots pending investigation. As per DGCA safety norms, unauthorised people are not allowed to enter the cockpit, and any such entry could violate norms. The DGCA last month slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for not reporting a similar incident that took place on its Dubai-Delhi flight in February this year.<br/>