Coast Guard recruiting commercial pilots

Chennai: In a move to strengthen coastline security of the nation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is on an aircraft purchase spree. The force is also recruiting commercial pilots on a short-term contract basis to fly its helicopters and planes.
Coast Guard will get 12 Dornier planes, three single-engine helicopters and a few twin-engine helicopters. It has also placed orders for a few multi-machine aircraft which can fly for more than 10 hours non-stop.
At present, Coast Guard has 17 Chetak helicopters, 24 Dorniers and 3 advanced light helicopters. In Chennai, there are four Dornier aircraft and three Chetak helicopters.
Coast Guard has started recruiting commercial pilot licence- holders holders to fly its aircraft on a short-term contract basis. Earlier, Coast Guard used to induct them for permanent posts. “The recruited pilots undergo one year training programme which comprises flying lessons in Daman and also in the Naval academy. “These pilots, who would have handled single-engine aircraft, will be trained in flying our multi-engine planes and big helicopters. They will also be given lessons in firing, pollution handling, and search-and-rescue operations,” said a source.
23/07/10 Vivek Narayanan/Times of India

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