Rafiq Jan
Pakistan’s Aviation minister’s bombshell news in the parliament, while disclosing the preliminary crash investigation report from Airbus industry, has yet again spun a controversy on “why this country is always in the headlines for all the wrong reasons?”
Amid unprecedented gridlock, the aviation ministry seems to be locked in a battle of allegations VS face-saving. Aviation is Pakistan has become so irrational and dysfunctional that it looks beyond repair. It appears they are incapable of delivering results.
Faking degrees: A recurring problem for PIA
Dubious qualifications are a universal conundrum.
Pakistan is not alone in this:
When it comes to fake or unapproved pilots’ qualifications, it is not only the flight training—the academic degrees like MSc and MBAs that may not be authentic. Hence flying an aeroplane cannot be possible without actually learning to fly at some earlier stages of one’s life. But there are usually stringent entry tests, psychometric and behavioural interviews to screen the candidates. Simple flying skills, these days cannot get a pilot a job. But here are those exemptions and short-cuts that occasionally create a furore in the news after a deadly air crash.
The picture below is one of the examples of U.S pilots’ and the aircraft operators’ blatant ignorance of SOPs and approved procedures.
A falcon F50 overshot the runway while landing in South Carolina U.S.
NTSB (National Transport safety bureau) an independent accident investigation body, released an astounding account of the accident. Both the pilots were unqualified for that aeroplane type. Moreover, the maintenance records showed grave non-compliances to the approved maintenance procedures. The plane had several faults and pending routine maintenance actions, which were never repaired and eventually ended up in uncontrollable braking after landing.
Surprisingly that incident never got serious media attention.
Revival strategies
Restructuring the Aviation Ministry.
Pakistan needs to wake up to the call of the hour before it is too late.
Revamp the ministry of Aviation by appointing a Technocrat to run it without any political affiliation. It can copy and learn from the models of world’s preeminent authorities to set up stringent rules and regulations to govern the airlines and the related affairs.
Government must, immediately, relinquish its interference in PIA’s affairs by making it fully private entity. It can be given to a credible and financially honest and strong entrepreneur with international exposure in aviation.
All trade unions, including pilots’ union, should be disbanded by a federal law that is irrevocable. PIA will only start to grow once the political affiliation is stopped.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority should be re-organized at the international level with the consultation of EASA and FAA bodies.
Hiring of pilots for all the airlines must be done by internationally recognized and reputed HR experts.
Rigorous training for pilots.
There should be stringent continuation trainings for pilots at pre-determined intervals to judge their performance and leadership capabilities.
CRM: Crew Resource Management; training for pilots.
It is a highly valuable training requirement by leading Aviation Authorities worldwide. It has incredible results if practised honestly. Conducted, supervised, and evaluated by highly experienced and veteran pilots with proven leadership skills. It instils positive habits of developing a mindset that guides pilots in;
- Effective communication,
- Leadership skill,
- Decision-making process during flight handling,
- Situational awareness during flight handling,
- Cross-checking, and
The author Rafiq Jan is an experienced Aviation analyst, current affairs blogger and a freelance writer.
