Medically fit....or not?
If I may, Gentlemen:
As I walk around the apartment deciding what to give away and what to pack, I still wonder why?
After being in India for almost 3 years I have learned very little about Indian aviation.
To learn something is to understand it and agree with it, thus, I have learned nothing. Maybe it is time to go.....for all ex-pats who came here for a most objective reason: to share with Indian pilots some of the things that have worked for us in the past and what lessons to be learned from knowing how badly others can screw up.
I paid my dues to best-seller standards. This was at a time prior to 1974 when the FAA was struggling with standards/regulations to enhance safety for the flying public, unscheduled. (FAR 135)
The pilots I was given to train in a new type came from various backgrounds and levels(?).
I was struck by the dependence on the automation. Removing the A/t always seemed to be associated with some kind of "abnormal", yet, I had to see if power management had a place in whatever fundamentals are shared with Indian pilots. This has been a struggle.
Let's face it.....Lufthansa and JAL have beautiful ab-initio training facilities. They are text book clean and the fleet is lined up with spinners within 1/2 inch on the flight line. (at least they used to.....things change.)
Nobody would question a 300 pilot going on line as an F/O given the preparation and uniformity in the training curriculum. They may be, in fact, best for the clinical right seat duties expected of them.
However, what place has experience in all this. Is experience even necessary? Of course it is.
Imagine an Indian family renting a 172 for the day and flying to Goa for lunch.
Imagine renting the same 172 where you split the rental 4 ways and go shoot approaches.
Indian pilots are doing what they can to get hired....experience or not.
It cost them too much for training not local in nature.
I am sure there are great flight training facilities in India.
Why would the airlines and others concerned pool resources and make this happen?
Flying a 737NG is the same regardless of the paintwork outside.
How many young pilots looked at their logbook last night before they slept....saying the same prayer....the same dream, the same wishes?
Many did.
Hang in there guys......you will have your chance when the DGCA decides to become Internationally accepted for it's quality airmen. Think proudly.
What better place to gain experience, if not hands on, than being mentored by someone who wants to go back home and leave his best lessons in aviation life to be considered?
Ex-pats come here for reasons. The job market is fluid now with opportunities around the globe. I have been asked to be here.
So, why am I leaving? I will not sit for a medical process and rule which did not exist when I signed my contract or the TRI/TRE was issued.
My FAA first class and associated paperwork generated by my "curious" senior AME, was brushed aside. Then I learned about the failure rate.
Then I found where some who had been grounded went home out of concern for their health......to find the malady was gone. A miracle?
I understand that Indians wish to have the ex-pats sit for the same military medical process as they do. OK.
Then, why not ex-pats require Indian pilots to at least understand there may be a better way? There always is.....we learn things every day, I think.
I don't drink (since my bulletproof days....) so my liver is not "fat".
If I had kidney stones the urine test would see the calcium level.
So, do I still need a sonogram? I was half afraid they would find a fetus in there since the act to cause same happens to me daily here. (He smiles)
It's been fun and I will miss the food. I will not miss the hopeless attitude of the pilots here just hoping to be noticed.... Good guys who need a break.
India is going to survive this growth spurt, so to speak.
A flight academy with world-wide standards and quality instructors would be a hit in India. This could be regional and draw on many foreign students.
Any graduate would be prime meat for a scheduled carrier.
It would also make money.....fair and honest money.
There is a reason why Indians and other foreign nationals try to head to the USA for training. Not saying the USA/FAA training is best.....it just always worked for me.
Now, it does not work for me in India. I will miss these exciting, silly times.