DGCA Forms Committee to Address Pilot RTR Exam Concerns
DGCA sets up committee to review ‘out-of-syllabus’ questions of pilots’ RTR exam
Image: The Times Of India
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has established a three-member committee to investigate complaints about out-of-syllabus questions in the Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR) examination for pilots, held on May 20. This move aims to address long-standing issues regarding the examination's relevance and administration.
- 01The committee is tasked with submitting its report within a week of its formation on May 21.
- 02The RTR examination is essential for pilots, assessing their radio communication skills with air traffic control.
- 03Previous complaints about the exam's relevance date back to 2018, highlighting concerns over the qualifications of examiners.
- 04Capt Manoj Hathi criticized the new committee for lacking pilot representation, emphasizing that qualified flight instructors typically conduct such tests internationally.
- 05In 2024, the DGCA took over the responsibility of conducting the RTR exams after protests from the pilots' community.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set up a three-member committee to review complaints about out-of-syllabus questions in the Radio Telephony Restricted (RTR) examination for pilots, which took place on May 20. This examination is crucial for pilots, testing their proficiency in radio communication with air traffic controllers. The committee, formed on May 21, is expected to submit its findings within a week. Concerns regarding the RTR examination process have persisted for years, with pilots arguing that the test was previously overseen by officials from the Department of Telecommunications’ Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, who lacked flying experience. Although the DGCA assumed responsibility for the examination in 2024, criticisms remain. Capt Manoj Hathi, a former Air India operations director, noted that the new committee lacks pilot representation and pointed out that internationally, such tests are usually conducted by qualified flight instructors. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has previously raised issues regarding the relevance of questions posed during the examination, claiming that examiners often stray from core topics.
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This review could lead to significant changes in how pilots are assessed in India, potentially improving the quality of training and examination standards.
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