DGCA reiterates rule for pre-flight medical examination of crew

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has once again reiterated that the Pre-Flight Medical Check (PFMC) for alcohol consumption prescribed by it should be fulfilled by all airlines meticulously at all base stations and other stations where crew change takes place and records maintained.

The PFMC has been prescribed by the DGCA as a Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) but it was found that, in the recent past, it was not being conducted regularly.

An official press release said any discrepancy or laxity in this regard would be viewed seriously and might attract penal action.

The CAR requires the following for the flights:

• For flights originating in India, at least 40% of Flight Crew members and 20% of Cabin Crew members shall be subjected to Pre-Flight Medical Check for alcohol consumption. For scheduled operators, this percentage shall be on daily basis and for operators other than scheduled the percentage shall be worked out on fifteen-calendar days' basis.

• For flight destination outside India, stations where more than ten crew changes take place in a calendar week, PFMC shall be carried out at least once in a month. At all other foreign destinations, PFMC shall be done at least once in a period of two months.

• At foreign destinations, complete set of Flight Crew members and Cabin Crew Member shall be subjected to PFMC.

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