Punjab News Approval to Birmi Flying Academy suspended

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Patiala November 24:

In a significant development, the approval given to Birmi Flying Academy, Patiala, by the Union Civil Aviation Department has been suspended, after the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found lapses on part of the academy.

Giving this information in writing to the Lok Sabha, a copy of which is available with The Tribune, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi stated that the DGCA had found several deficiencies in 33 flying clubs during a nationwide audit and suspended the approval of two such institutions, Bombay Flying Club, Juhu Aerodrome, and Birmi Flying Academy, Patiala”.

Notably, Malkiat Singh Birmi, who owns the academy, is a former Punjab Chief Parliamentary Secretary and had represented Ludhiana (rural) assembly constituency from 2002 to 2007. Vayalar Ravi stated in the Lok Sabha that an audit was carried out with an aim to ensuring that the flying academies function in accordance of the guidelines laid down by the Civil Aviation Department. Ravi has also stated that during the audit, about 16 deficiencies were found, which include improper or non upkeep of documents, insufficient number of ground instructors, fuel mismanagement and false entries in the authorisation book, non-availability of contingency and no emergency plan for accidents.

Interestingly, while Vayalar informed the Lok Sabha about the suspension of approval to the academy, documents procured by the media that the approval to the institution has been restored today itself and even a letter to this effect has been sent to the managing director of the academy. Meanwhile, Birmi claimed that on account of some “minor” technical deficiencies, the approval of the academy was suspended. “I cannot comment on what the minister has stated, but can only clarify that my academy has never violated the guidelines,” he claimed, while confirming that he has received a letter pertaining to the restoration of the approval.

Meanwhile, though the authorities of the DGCA are tight-lipped on the matter and no one is ready to come on record, sources in the Civil Aviation Department said it was indeed a faux pas that while the minister stated that the approval of the Birmi Flying Academy had been suspended, despite the fact that a letter for its restoration was issued by the Civil Aviation Department itself.

 
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