DGCA scraps special exams for pilots

Mumbai: Students aspiring to be pilots will now have to clear all the pilot license exam papers only by appearing for regular exams that are held once in three months. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has scrapped the practise of holding special exams and changes to this effect have been brought about in the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) pertaining to Flight Crew Standards.
In April, the Times of India had reported that the daughter of Joint Director General of Civil Aviation, AK Sharan had cleared three out of the five CPL subjects in special exams, though she was not eligible to sit for even a single special exam session.
Special exams are conducted in between the regular exam sessions. The DGCA conducts regular exam sessions once every three months. A candidate can apply to sit for a special exam, if s/he fulfills a list of eligibility criteria. Like for instance: the student should have cleared all the subjects, except one and cannot afford to wait for a regular exam session as the validity of his/her flying hours or that of other exam results would expire by then. Even if the candidate is eligible to sit for a special exam, there is no guarantee that the DGCA would allow him/her to appear for one as it is left to the discretionary power of the DGCA officials concerned.
14/05/11 Times of India