PILOT TRAINING RULES VIOLATION
Kanchanjunga Express accident had multiple lapses, incident was waiting to happen: Railway probe
The Commissioner of Railway Safety's report on the Kanchanjunga Express accident highlights systemic lapses in train operations, citing inadequate counselling for loco pilots and station masters, and mismanagement of signals. The report underscores the urgent need for the Automatic Train-protection system (KAVACH) and improved signalling reliability to prevent future incidents.
Train drivers draw Rahul Gandhi's attention to 'serious safety issues' in Railways
The All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) has handed a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, blaming poor working conditions for recent train accidents. The memorandum highlights the plight of train drivers, who work 14 to 16 hours a day and get home after three or four days.
Rahul Gandhi meets railways loco pilots, they complain of inadequate rest
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met a group of Indian Railways loco pilots on Friday at the New Delhi railway station. The loco pilots expressed concerns about "inadequate rest due to understaffing." Gandhi engaged with around 50 loco pilots from across India in the afternoon, according to party sources.
Goods train driver's rule violation cause Kanchanjungha Express crash? Here's what railway report shows
According to the report, the derailment of the Kanchanjungha Express may have been due to the goods train's loco pilot disregarding a stop signal and operating at excessive speed. Notably, the Chief Loco Inspector (CLI) dissented from this assessment. Typically formed soon after an accident, a joint observation report combines initial insights from various railway departments, including engineering, signalling, mechanical, and traffic.
Kanchanjunga Express accident: Initial probe blames lapses by goods train crew, Jalpaiguri division's operating dept
The Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal, India, resulted in the death of at least 10 people, including the passenger train's guard and the goods train's pilot. The collision occurred near Rangapani station, 30 km from New Jalpaiguri station, causing four rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express to derail. The Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha claimed the collision occurred because the goods train disregarded the signal.
Kanchanjunga accident: Reason was wrong manual signalling, not pilot who died, railway experts affirm
Manual authorisation issued wrongly led to the fatal accident, rail experts insist. The pilot of the freight train was given the go-ahead wrongly at the station, and the authorisation he got did not require him to reduce speed at that stretch.
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Air India to start own flying school, in a first in country
In preparation for an anticipated pilot shortage, Air India plans to establish a school in Amravati, Maharashtra, aimed at training up to 180 pilots annually. Prospective pilots without prior flying experience can enroll in the full-time academy, offering them a clear path to eventually join Air India's cockpit upon completing subsequent stages of training.
Kanchanjunga Express accident: Signal had been defective since 5.50 am, says a railway source
In West Bengal, a defective automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction led to the collision between the Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train. Despite the station master issuing TA 912 for the express train, a goods train departed and collided, resulting in fatalities. Railway authorities are investigating the incident amid conflicting reports on the cause.
Railway Board sets up committee, holds meeting to ascertain why drivers violate speed restrictions
The Railway Board has formed a committee to investigate train drivers' violations of speed restrictions between stations, prompted by recent incidents where drivers exceeded limits at a river bridge under maintenance. Loco pilots of Gatiman Express and Malwa Express were involved. A circular was issued, calling for review and input from loco pilots to ensure adherence to speed restrictions for safe train operations. Suggestions include improved communication and visual aids for better compliance.
Sirhind train collision: Loco pilot, assistant fell asleep at wheel
Four days after a goods train collision in Punjab, the investigation revealed that the loco pilot and his assistant fell asleep at the wheel and failed to apply the brake at the red signal, a railway official said. The incident occurred on June 2 around 3:15 am between the Sirhind junction and Sadhoogarh railway station in Punjab when the engine of UP GVGN derailed and fell sideways on the main passenger line, according to a probe report, a copy of which is with PTI.
US military completes major exercise in Africa and works to deepen partnerships
The U.S. and top African allies conducted the African Lion military exercise in Morocco, addressing new challenges in volatile regions. The exercise showcased joint military operations and emphasized a holistic approach to instability issues beyond military solutions.
We asked ChatGPT for legal advice - here are five reasons why you shouldn't
A survey by the Law Society, the Legal Services Board, and YouGov in 2023 revealed that two-thirds of respondents faced legal issues in the past four years, with common problems including employment, finance, welfare, and consumer issues.
Over 40 pc ads in Cricket World Cup 2023 promoted smokeless tobacco brands: Study
According to the study conducted by a group of experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Vital Strategies, of the total 41.3 per cent surrogate advertisements of smokeless tobacco (SLT) brands, 39.9 per cent were telecast during India's matches and 37.8 per cent during matches featuring one or both teams from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).
Railways suspends drivers, assistants for operating trains at 120 kmph against 20 kmph limit
Drivers of Gatiman Express and Malwa Express suspended for speeding at 120 kmph in a 20 kmph cautionary speed limit section near Agra Cantt during bridge renovation work.
MahaRERA suspends registration of over 20,000 real estate agents
In the real estate sector, the property brokers and agents play a vital role as they are the link between a homebuyer and a developer. Usually, a potential homebuyer receives primary project related information directly from these agents.
Transition to new crew scheduling app hits Air India Express flights
Air India Express faced a 15-hour delay when a pilot discovered he was trained on a different aircraft than the one assigned for his flight from Riyadh to Kochi. This incident adds to the challenges the airline is facing, including disruptions due to cabin crew sick leave and issues with a new scheduling software. About 50 out of 300 daily flights have been affected, prompting manual rostering efforts and assistance from Tata Group carriers.
United World Wrestling suspends Bajrang Punia; Sports Authority of India approves training abroad but wrestler cancels trip
United World Wrestling (UWW) suspended Bajrang Punia till the end of the year for refusing National Anti Doping Agency's (NADA's) dope test. The wrestler contested whereabouts failure notice from NADA and denied refusal to test. Mission Olympic Cell had approved training funds for Punia despite NADA's actions. Bajrang cancelled training plans and filed a reply to NADA.
Vistara gets DGCA notice for pilot training rules violation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is learnt to have raised questions over a procedure called Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT). When a pilot has to undergo conversion training for operating a different type of aircraft, he has to undergo multiple stages of training.
YouTube says OpenAI training Sora with its videos would break rules
In his first public remarks on the topic, YouTube chief executive officer Neal Mohan said he had no firsthand knowledge of whether OpenAI had, in fact, used YouTube videos to refine its artificial intelligence-powered video creation tool, called Sora. But if that were the case, it would be a “clear violation” of YouTube’s terms of use, he said.
DGCA puts new rules on pilot rest in abeyance
Airlines had raised concern saying that the new rules force them to cancel up to 20% of flights which will inflate air fares during the peak summer travel season. Fares are already higher, according to online travel portals as almost 20% of the fleet of Indian airlines are grounded due to engine issues and financial crunch. Among the primary changes, the new rules rewrite the definition of night period, extending it by an hour from 12 AM-5 AM to 12 AM- 6AM.
DGCA imposes fine of Rs 80 lakh on Air India for violating pilot rest rules
DGCA imposed Rs 80 lakh fine on Air India for breaching pilot rest rules, including crew above 60 flying together, inadequate rest, and marked training records. Violations led to show cause notice and unsatisfactory response.
Akasa Air will not have to cancel flights due to new pilot rest rules: Vinay Dube
Dube’s contrarian stance comes even though Federation of Indian airlines- a grouping of airlines including IndiGo and Air India, has said that they will have to cancel 20 % of flights as the new rules will require them to increase the number of pilots by 25% and hiring and training them will not be possible by 1 June.
DGCA says no to any extension in pilot duty hour rule
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has declined to extend the deadline for implementing new pilot duty hours beyond June 1st. Airlines are instructed to prepare for the implementation of revised norms and have their new pilot flight duty schedules approved by April 15th.
Driverless train incident fallout: Railways launches special counselling drive for loco pilots
A written instruction, addressed to chief loco inspectors (CLIs) and lobby in-charge of various stations, detailed the recent incident of driverless running of a freight train for about 75 km between Jammu and Pathankot and said the present counselling drive aims at avoiding recurrence of such incidents in future.
Enough time given to airlines to prepare for new duty period rules for pilots: Government
DGCA has deferred implementation of new flight duty rules to June 1, allowing time for airlines to prepare. The rules extend the night period, limit duty period and landings, and address cumulative fatigue. Airlines suggest implementing their own fatigue monitoring systems. The airlines are particularly worried about the new definition of night period, extending it by an hour - from 12 AM-5 AM to 12 AM- 6AM - and limits the duty period to 10 hours and number of landings a pilot can do to two.
Airlines say India's new pilot rest rules are the most restrictive in the world
Indian airlines have requested DGCA to delay new pilot rest rules. The rules would require them to increase the number of pilots by 25% and could force them to cancel up to 20% of flights. Airlines argue that the rules are ambiguous and restrictive compared to global standards.
Indian publishers seek rules for copyright protection against generative AI models
Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has sent a letter and made representations to the ministries of electronics and information technology and information and broadcasting, seeking protection from likely copyright violations by AI models.
New pilot rest rules will lead to increase in cost, says airline industry
New rules by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which come into effect from June 1, will need airlines to increase their pilot strength by 20% within three months or cut flights to conform to the rules. "We all want to ensure safe flying, but the new rules are incredibly limiting and an over-reaction. This will be disruptive as increasing the number of pilots in such a short time is practically impossible," the CEO of an airline said, asking not to be named.
DGCA amends duty period rules for pilots to cut fatigue
The regulator’s action comes after complaints from a large number of pilots that they are being stretched by the airlines using the regulator’s soft rules which ensures they are not violating the norms. In August, an IndiGo pilot died due to a sudden cardiac arrest at the Nagpur airport minutes before operating the flight.
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