Pilot error unfortunately is a part of any aviation operation. While many steps are taken to minimize it, often it reappears. SOPS/CRM/SA are meant to eliminate it and while these concepts have improved safety tremendously, a breakdown in the chain somewhere leads to an incident. No one wishes these kinds on events on anyone, and especially not on their own "watch." Part of DFDR monitoring is also meant for the purpose of revealing trends and/ or problem airports with reference to unstabilized approaches etc. At my old Brand X this information was never used against you, so long as you reported it proactively. It was then used to inform and educate so that the next guy didn't have it. For example, when the Brand X, first got the B737NG, few of us had flown the B737 before, others had not. They found that the NG was a lot harder to slow down and come down during high downwind visual airports at KMCO (Orlando) KATL(Atlanta), KTPA (Tampa) and KDFW (Dallas). Because of the data it was addressed in the next fleet digest.
As far as the Spicejet upgrade program. The airlines are mandated by the DGCA to hire, train and upgrade Indian pilots first and foremost. Perhaps not a popular notion for some, but nonetheless it's a mandate by the Govt. of India. Like any other airline there will be the guys/gals who are cut out for command and others who are not. Note--I said any airline, any country etc.
This is to prevent those of you attempting to start a race war, i.e Indians vs expats. There are just as many good Indian pilots and bad Indian pilots as there are expats in the same category. Civilian/Military etc.
Spicejet is selecting candidates who have the hrs and the ATPL for command.
They are given a sim check first, then a suitability check in the A/C. Then they go through the SIM, 20-30 sector LOFT followed by 10 Route checks.
This is all per the DGCA. The min hr requirement is 2500 hrs. They have to go through this process before they can be released. A selection for command does not imply a 100% guarantee of success. Can a weak candidate somehow slip through the cracks? Yes it can happen here just as it can anywhere else in the world.
On the wrong landings at Spicejet. Unfortunate and something no one would be proud of. No one can guarantee that it will not happen again at Spicejet or any other airline for that matter. The Spicejet ones--1 Indian Capt, and 2 Expat Capts. 2 in Delhi (home airport) and 1 in CCU( Kolkotta).All experienced Capts. It still happened. These kinds of incidents have happened elsewhere.
Singapore B747 took off from closed rwy years ago, KLM took off without clearance in Canary Islands and Struck PanAM, Continental B757 landed on a taxiway in Newark, Delta Airlines etc. etc etc......
You can't be all things to all people. Someone who didn't upgrade and thought they should will be disgruntled. An expat being forced out will predict a doomsday scenario. It's human nature. The Chief Pilots, Trainers, Check Pilots, Examiners have the daunting job of making the decision with regard to who makes the cut and who does not. Let them do the job they were given by the DGCA and the company. If you don't make the upgrade, turn the negative into a positive. See what you could have done better. The next time around you will be a more confident. proficient pilot.
Last edited by Nevrekar; 29th Apr 2009 at 02:33.