NEW DELHI: Government has proposed extending the validity of the medical fitness assessment of pilots to one year till they attain the age of 60 from six months, in a bid to ease the procedural norms for pilots.

The proposal of the Civil Aviation Ministry would come as a relief for pilots above the age of 40 years who are now required to undergo medical fitness assessment every six months to validate their flying licences.

As of now, the validity of medical fitness assessment is one year for holders of airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) and for senior commercial pilots till they attain the age of 40 years.

It is also applicable for flight navigators and flight radio telephone operator licences. ATPL is the highest level of aircraft pilot licence. According to industry estimates, there are currently around 5,000 ATPL holders in the country.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has now proposed to increase the threshold age to 60 years for pilots with respect to medical fitness assessment to align it with the best international practices, official sources said.

In this regard, the Ministry has mooted an amendment to the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

Source : ET