The Honorable Minister of Aviation made another explosive disclosure today. According to him, 262 of the total 860 pilots in various airlines hold fake licenses and the Government will finally take action against such pilots. An inquiry has been ongoing since February 2019.

 

If this was not such a serious and potentially calamitous situation, it could be considered actually funny.

A Pilot’s Flying License is not like a car driving license, which could be forged requiring only a good printer and a lamination machine and could be carried in your pocket for years without being counter- checked. It is surprising that the Minister has been aware of pilots with fake licenses but no action has been taken and even the Airlines have not been informed of the potential threat to the traveling public.

 

The only issuing authority for a Pilot’s License is Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA). All Airlines, Flying Clubs, Private Aviation organizations, PIA, PALPA etc have no control or say in the issuance of the license. All prospective employees must obtain these licenses from PCAA before being considered.

The path to obtain a Flying License is not an easy one. The PCAA has designed the process to be difficult, confusing and mired in administrative quagmire. Essentially PCAA is required to follow international guidelines set by organizations such as ICAO, FAA, JAA etc so as to fulfill all legal and professional requirements. However PCAA has added its own twist to the procedures to make it difficult and baffling thus making it liable to manipulation and exploitation by the same officials that are responsible for scrutinizing the documents. The only way a person could acquire a fake license would be in connivance with officials of the licensing department.

 

A candidate applies for the license, PCAA evaluates the application and gives permission to commence training. All training is supervised, all checks and exams conducted and medical exam for fitness carried out by PCAA itself. The PCAA has a full fledged Licensing department, A Flight Standards department and an Aero-Medical board, staffed by ( supposedly) officials of highest caliber and the required expertise and qualifications. The License is issued under the authority of Director General PCAA. The License is valid only for six months. Every six months the Pilot undergoes a medical examination by PCAA Medical Board, a refresher course approved by PCAA, a Simulator check supervised by a PCAA inspector and a Flight Check by a PCAA Inspector. Finally all these documents are presented along with the requisite fees to the Licensing department , which after scrutiny, updates the Pilot’s file and readies the license for signature of the issuing authority, that being the DG ( PCAA).

 

It is apparent that the responsibility of this horrific situation lies directly and squarely with the very Government organization that was designed and established to promote Aviation Industry in Pakistan. Enormous amount of tax payers money in spent on staffing the organization. The appointments in the organization are made by the Government and the senior most slots going to officials, on deputation from other Government entities, having no knowledge or experience of Civil Aviation. These adhoc appointments, frequent changes, and the lack of a clear policy have created various pressure groups and mafias which operate with impunity. The rot has to be stemmed and not by deflecting the blame to PIA, Pilots or PALPA, who have no say in the issue of fake licenses.

 

The issue should not be swept under the carpet by taking action only against the persons holding fake licenses. It is imperative that the facilitators be held to account even if the trail leads to the Holy Cows and the Ministry of Aviation.