Vistara senior official suspended over pilot conversion training violations

This isn’t the first instance of Vistara facing scrutiny from the regulator over improper pilot training. Representation pic

The DGCA has reprimanded the vice-president (VP) of Vistara airline's pilot training due to deficiencies in the conversion training of pilots, specifically in transitioning narrow-body pilots to operate wide-body aircraft. Vikram Mohan Dayal, the VP of Training at the full-service carrier, has been temporarily suspended by the aviation authority, prompting the airline to seek a replacement.

Sources from the airline confirmed the development stating, "Dayal assumed the role of VP of Training in May 2020. After the DGCA issued a show cause notice, our VP of Training responded, but the regulator deemed the response inadequate, leading to increased scrutiny on our airline by the DGCA. Furthermore, Dayal's suspension was attributed to deficiencies in the conversion training procedures outlined by the DGCA, which ensure pilots can operate aircraft different from those they are accustomed to."

"Under conversion training, pilots undergo additional training when they switch from flying one type of aircraft to another." explained a senior DGCA official. Sources from DGCA said that the issue arose when 12 Vistara pilots, trained on narrow-body A320 family planes, were undergoing conversion training for wide-body B787 aircraft.

According to the DGCA rules, this training involves multiple stages. "In the first stage, pilots train on a simulator, followed by skills testing in the second stage. The third stage requires a take-off and landing on an actual B787 plane for fresh pilots, while experienced pilots with over 500 flight hours can perform this in a simulator. This third stage, known as zero flight time training, must be completed within 45 days after the second stage." the senior DGCA official explained.

"However, we found that these 12 Vistara pilots did not complete the third stage within the specified timeframe. Moreover, they were scheduled for the fourth stage, known as supervised line flying, which involves flying a plane full of passengers under supervision," the official added.

"Dayal was initially issued a show cause notice regarding this alleged rule violation. After the response, which we found unsatisfactory, action was taken against Dayal. The airline has been asked to appoint a new head of training promptly." said a senior official from the Flight Standards directorate of DGCA.

"This isn't the first time Vistara is facing scrutiny from the regulator. In June 2022, we had imposed a fine of R10 lakh on Vistara for allowing an inadequately trained pilot to land with passengers at the Indore airport. The pilot, serving as the first officer, landed the aircraft without completing the simulator training," added the senior official from the flight standards directorate of DGCA.

In March this year, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) approved the merger of Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, with Air India, wholly owned by the Tata Group. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had previously approved the merger between the airlines in September 2023.

Vistara's CEO, Vinod Kannan, said during a press briefing in January that the full-service carrier is anticipating an operational merger with Air India by mid-2025. Additionally, the company expects to receive legal approvals for the merger by the middle of the current calendar year.

Vistara declined to this reporter's request for an official statement.

Stages of Conversion training according to DGCA rules

First stage: Training in a simulator
Second Stage: Skill test in a simulator
Third stage: Landing and take-off training in an actual aircraft or an experienced pilot can do this in a simulator
Last stage: Supervised Line Flying, when the pilot operates an aircraft with passengers under supervision.