Are you seeking leniency for cheating? Take a pilot’s test

Mumbai: Any guesses why the fake pilot’s licence scam is so colossal? Past cases of fraud involving pilot’s licences and flight training in India show that the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been lenient towards the accused. Though the DGCA has independent powers to revoke a pilot’s licence, it prefers to let the police and the courts decide on the course of action. As the case drags on, the accused pilot continues to fly or instruct, the regulator giving him back his licence and restoring his privileges.
A case in point is that of Carver Aviation Academy, Baramati. Its former chief flight instructor (CFI), Capt Ashim Taxali, was under the scanner in 2007 for clearing 25 student pilots without conducting their flying tests. These were students who had trained abroad for a commercial pilot licence (CPL). To get an Indian licence, such students have to take a flying test in India, which can be conducted by any CFI authorized by the DGCA. The students approached Capt Taxali, who “pocketed the fees paid by the students and issued them certificates without so much as making them sit in an aircraft, let alone operate it”, said a DGCA source.
The matter came to light after the chief operating officer of the flying club filed a police case against the CFI, since his activities resulted in loss of revenue for the club. ToI reported the matter on November 6, 2007, following which the DGCA initiated an inquiry. Capt Taxali was placed under suspension and the flying club shut down. The police chargesheeted Capt Taxali, who spent a month in jail before being granted bail. Though the case is in court, the DGCA restored his CFI licence and reopened the flying school.
This was despite the DGCA investigation report (a copy of which is with ToI) accusing him of fraud.
24/03/11 Manju V/Times of India