DGCA grants night operations approval for single-engine aircraft

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation safety regulator, has approved the operation of single-engine aircraft by scheduled commuter airlines during nighttime hours. This decision aims to enhance air connectivity to remote areas during the night, a move that was previously restricted to day operations and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for Single Engine Turbine (SET) planes introduced in 2018. Scheduled Commuter Airlines (SCAs) primarily operate regional flights. In an announcement, DGCA stated that it has modified its regulations to permit SCAs to operate single-engine airplanes at night. The circular outlining operations has been updated to incorporate guidelines related to route assessment, crew qualifications, experience, training, and other essential aspects. The revisions also consider operational, certification, and airworthiness requirements to ensure safe operations of single-engine airplanes. Approval for night operations will be granted based on assessments of operators meeting the specified requirements. These criteria were established following a comprehensive review of international regulations, global best practices, safety data, and operational experiences in India. An expert committee appointed by DGCA conducted safety risk assessments and practical flight trials to identify deficiencies and hazards, incorporating necessary safety measures. This decision aligns with the government's efforts to enhance regional air connectivity across the country.