India - Indian Medical for all expats within 6 months

[expat india]

Within 6 months all foreigners flying on a FATA will be required to obtain an Indian Medical.

Two issues here (a) it just seems like more meaningless time wasting and (b) what if you fail?

I would be surprised if there is a single foreign pilot who hasn't had hair pulling out moments re the large amount of pointless and unnecessary bureaucracy.

We should be setting an example and help reduce the time wasting, which will have a great benefit in increasing the countries productivity.

One could ask "Is a JAA/ FAA/ Australian, etc medical really not good enough for India?"

However, crews must realises there is a risk. If you fail the Indian medical, you will have to disclose this to FAA/ JAA, etc

The Indian medical standards are much more stringent and very likely based on military requirements, whilst countries with more resources at their disposal can have more relaxed requirements.

Also, could there be a case of failing the medical due to non payment of the "fee", although unlikely, it is a possibility?

My view .. its not worth the risk

[estranged soul]

However, crews must realises there is a risk. If you fail the Indian medical, you will have to disclose this to FAA/ JAA, etc


Hit the proverbial nail on the head !

Any foreign crew failing the Indian medical or being declared temporarily unfit would certainly have to report to FAA/JAA etc.

That would further open a can of worms perhaps ??

[itsbrokenagain]

I dont think you will find at all there is ANY requirement under the JAA/EASA or FAA regulations to notify them you have been found medically unfit in another country.

If there is post it, but I doubt it.

Are the airlines calling for the expats to undertake the medical yet? As of last week I heard from friend at 2 of them they were still telling them its not going to be an issue... which more than likely means it will be removed without anyone knowing shortly.

[expat india]

"I dont think you will find at all there is ANY requirement under the JAA/EASA or FAA regulations to notify them you have been found medically unfit in another country."

Oh and "Mr I doubt it" Next time you go for a JAA medical, take a look at the form you fill in .. its says something along lines of ..

Have you ever had an aviation medical certificate denied, suspended or revoked by any licensing authority?

FAA form asks if you have seen a physician or had a medical evaluation ..

Call DGCA medical dept +91 22 2301 0321 ext 7806

DGCA's opinion differs from your friend !

[itsbrokenagain]

"Next time you go for a medical, take a look at the form you fill in .. its says something along lines of ..

Have you ever had an aviation medical certificate denied, suspended or revoked by any licensing authority? "

Actually.... I just have...!!

And NO the FAA dont give a ****e about any other medical as far as I am can see, item 13 of the old fashioned form only asks about any FAA medical issues....and its the same question on Medexpress

And come on do you really think the FAA take the Indian Aviation medical seriously ???? I bet they have a great laugh over the whole situation in India.

Imagine how much it will add to the delays for the poor local guys trying to get their medicals renewed in time in places like Chennai and Kolkata!

Oh PS down here in a more organized SE Asian Country they too dont give a damn if you have failed another countries aviation medical also.... I know that from an Indian pilot who cannot pass his DGCA medical but happily flies here as a Captain for the national carrier!!

[expat india]

itsbrokenagain - I'm glad you're confident that FAA wouldn't be concerned about someone failing an Indian Medical.

However, I doubt everyone would agree with you, and in any case if you're not in India, it does not affect you any way.

This is an issue for Foreign pilots in India - the medical may find a problem which does need to be disclosed to JAA, contrary to your" I doubt it view", and for FAA you do need to disclose the medical (but not the result it seems, but you could still be asked).

Also, there are a list of questions you have to answer for both JAA/ FAA and you would have to disclose here if you have a condition that became apparent during the Indian Medical.

Your opinion "FAA don't give a ****e" does not convince me, especially since I have JAA as well !!

I would respectfully ask you to let this thread concentrate on the real issue here, rather than sidetracking the issue by insisting FAA/ JAA would just laugh about a failed Indian Medical.


PS your last sentence does indeed show the Indian Medical can cause a problem

[weido_salt]

It depends if you value the "Mother license" you are in possession of. If you fail they will make sure the issuing authorities of the mother license will be informed.

My advise to you expats down there is to boycott the examination. Possibly delay it until the last minute, then they will be so snowed under with these tests, it will take months to clear the backlog.

[Meccano]

If you fail a foreign medical you are required to tick the box on your Home licence renewal form that states you have attended/failed another medical.
If you don't, that is fraud. You know this very well.

If you tick the box, you will be asked what you failed on, and you can bet your ass the AME is going to pay very close attention to it, and may require further tests on the problem area. The AME has to cover his ass too you know.

Of course some (mainly Western) CAA's have a practical approach and allow greater latitude on limits, and cater for normal deterioration with age. So it might not actually be a problem.

When I read of the huge percentage of guys failing medicals at Chinese and Korean airlines I just wonder - WHY do people take the risk when they know the failure rates?
You could lose more than one job. You could lose your licence.

I think people take the risk anyhow, then go home and say nothing when they fail. They probably get away with it too.But iIf there is an accident investigation one day and this stuff turns out to have been a contributory factor - there is going to be hell to pay. Its as bad as LogBook Falsification, which everyone is jumping up and down about right now.

[152wiseguy]

No worries guys, just cause you don't pass one licensing authorities medical does not mean you cannot have a medical in another. The requirements vary from country to country.

Of course you will have to truthfully answer all the questions on each form you sign but having failed a medical in india will not change the medical requirements in your home country.

A while back a friend of mine was trying to get into aviation. His eyesight met the requirements for a JAA class one renewal but not for the initial. So he went to the US and passed a FAA class one medical. On returning to the UK he went for a class one medical this time he qualified for the renewal limits as he was already flying professionally! He is now flying with a valid JAA class one medical.

So sometimes different medical requirements can work out in your favour. I don't think the Indian aeromedical doctors are about to do any expats any favours but I doubt it will be as disastrous as some people are making out. :ok:

[Meccano]

Oh, and don't forget to mention the failure to your Loss Of Licence Insurer too. It may affect your cover. It certainly will if you make a claim and they find out about an unreported issue.

Insurance companies.....any bloody excuse.....

[TopTup]

Having witnessed many body shapes throughout my career, it always amazes me how some people do pass any medical examinations. But, we are talking about "Incredible India" here......

So, the question begs to be answered: if a chain smoking (on the flight deck of course), grossly overweight national pilot can pass the DGCA medical then why not a chain smoking, grossly overweight expat?

Is it possible to think that just maybe not all playing fields are fair and just at the illustrious DGCA? Perish the thought.

So, when you have to drop your britches, have some rupees strategically placed.

[Legal_Eagle]

If a couple of upstart, whippersnappers can mount a legal challenge against expats working in India, then why cant the expats chip in an do the same to challenge this stupidity.

I anyone holds a FATA that is valid longer than 6 months I cant see how it can be rescinded because the DGCA seem to want to shift the goal posts.

[Meccano]

Having witnessed many body shapes throughout my career, it always amazes me how some people do pass any medical examinations. But, we are talking about "Incredible India" here...... I'd like to have the same question answered about Chinese pilots, and Korean pilots.
All Mainland Chinese pilots I've ever met smoke like chimneys. I haven't seen too many grossly overweight - its just not a Chinese thing - but I doubt many of them hit the treadmill three times a week *cough cough*.

Kinda suspicious, innit.....

Look guys, in a Western Unionised Carrier with a proper seniority list there would be massive resistance to the hiring of DEC's. You can't blame the Chinese or Korean, or any other organised pilot group from protecting their interests. They may do it by strikes (not in China of course!), or they may do it by - er - 'setting high standards' (for the applicant pilots). Only the best, eh!

Whether in the Interview Room, the Sim, the Line-Check, or the Medical - they'll get you if they possibly can. And if they do it on Medical grounds, bang goes your career and LOL Insurance. Seems like a massive gamble by the applicant pilots, when you clearly are unwelcome and not wanted.

I guess if you have no other choice, go for it. But get yourself in shape first.
Oh, and get on Crestor.:yuk:

These pilots have seen their destiny if they sit idly by.
Ryanair T's & C's.:hmm:
Another Western Import.....

Who can honestly blame them for being out to get you? It's nothing personal.

[sunset_contrails_10]

I don't believe the FAA will care about medical results in a foreign country because their test have no bearing to the FAA. They don't care about cholesterol levels, they don't have a balance test, and they don't care about fit pilots that have a low resting heart rate. The FAA has moved into the 21st century and understand what is fit and what isn't fit.

[Meccano]

Did you read my post SC?
I think you're missing the point. It has nothing whatever to do with fitness.
Not that it really matters....howling at the moon will get us nowhere.

I don't believe the FAA will care about medical results in a foreign country..Can you back that statement up with any evidence? It seems like mere opinion.
Did you ever tick the box saying you've failed a medical/been denied a licence?
Are you an FAA AME?

[sunset_contrails_10]

I have facts on my side. Failed a Chinese medical because my resting heart rate is 39. I disclosed to the FAA and never have had a response. It has been five years now.

When you take your FAA Medical and disclose that you have failed a foreign medical, they allow explanation. The FAA Doctor will give you an FAA Medical and if he finds you fit then he will issue the First Class Medical. He will send all the information to the FAA for review and they will contact you if any problems, however you will be issued a First Class Medical.

FAA won't blink twice about low resting heart rates, strange balance tests, BMI requirements and other strange tests. Hell, i passed a US Airforce Medical also with a low resting heart rate but chinese doctors seem to have a problem with it.

We risk our jobs everytime we sit in the pilot's seat of an aircraft. No sense in panicking about a foreign medical. If they have a problem with you then move on to the next job. If you refuse the medical then you will be fired and have to move on anyway so their is nothing to lose.

Speaking from experience.

[Capt Apache]

The Indian Xenophobe is dreaming if he thinks he has found a way to get around expats.India is soon going to be the 'Diabetes and Cardiac problems' capital of the world (if it isnt already). People in the West are more health conscious than us in diet and excercise.Also I think there is an attempt to spread panic about the dreaded Indian medical. It is F easy.Only more than often they will ask you to bring in some reports that they could actually do without.I think its just because they want to protect their backside if something goes wrong in the future. If you find corruption, which you might - a slim chance, you are better off reporting it than having some rupees 'strategically placed' like some idiot suggested.

[Capt Apache]

The expat will do well to apprise himself of the medical regulations and the way to go about it.Here is the rule book.Good luck

Handbook on Medical Assessment of Flight Crew (http://www.dgca.nic.in/medical/handbook-ind.htm)

[drive73]

Ah, this reminds me of other Indian government money making schemes.. Put out a directive, work the companies into a frenzy with unrealistic deadlines and wait for the money to roll in. At this point they will extend the directive for years to come.
This is a PR money making stunt. Just add it to the list.

[itsbrokenagain]

Out of pure curiosity is there a FATA holder on here who has done the Indian medical yet to meet this new rule?

I have a friend who just last week had his FATA renewed but no mention was made of him needing to get this medical ! (maybe he got lucky)

[Meccano]

SC10 - I read a comment (I think it was on an Air China thread) from a pilot who was (he says) in the peak of physical fitness, yet failed the medical on the same thing as you - resting heart rate. He sounded genuine. As do you.

I think it proves what I said. This is not about fitness!!
If anything, low resting heart rate is a symptom of very high fitness levels. Something the Chinese probably aren't familiar with - there being no fad for mass fitness training like we have in the West, they've probably only seen very low heart rates in atheletes.

No, it's really about making it as tough as possible for desperate Gweilos to get in and undermine the native pilots jobs. Thats all.

Their mandatory licence exam - a full ATPL- reputedly includes questions written in Chinese - to ensure no non Chinese pilot can ever get 100%. Pathetic, isn't it.

Why subject yourself to such BS? Don't you have a licence already? I guarentee a JAA/FAA Licence is far more recognised worldwide than their crappy piece of faked up Chinese paper. Why should you have to do a full ATPL exam? What does this say to you? Its all part of the grinding down process.
Let's not be intimidated.

I had 6 colleagues apply for jobs at Air China. Every one of them was told they were medically unfit. Worse - two were told they were terminally ill. The failures ranged from 'heart disease' to high blood pressure, to high cholesterol, to colour blindness, to 'need glasses' to 'need ear waxed' etc etc. None of these 'issues' had ever been noticed before.
One guy was worried so much he decided to go see a heart specialist on his return home. He was told there was absolutley nothing wrong with his heart.
However, the home Licencing Authority took a closer look and slapped endorsements on some of them. A death sentence for foreign employment, and a serious obstacle to LOL Cover.

In your case there was nothing wrong with you that might affect your ability to pass an FAA med. But what about someone who is told they have something else wrong with them - an actual defect that was never turned up in the normal recurrent medical at home because it isn't regularly tested for? Something that leads to an endorsement, or suspension?

And you refer to FAA standards - what about JAA standards? You've already indicated they are stricter.

I stumbled upon this thread and it prompted me to write because its a subject I've been concerned about for some time. Unfortunately, this particular thread is tied into the Indian hiring situation, which I know is fraught, and political. A lot of what is written here is therefore coloured with 'local scuttlebutt'.

This is a subject that really deserves a thread of it's own, perhaps on Rumours & News, or one of the other General Forums, rather than a parochial thread on a Regional Forum.

[jimmygill]

Ah, this reminds me of other Indian government money making schemes.. Put out a directive, work the companies into a frenzy with unrealistic deadlines and wait for the money to roll in. At this point they will extend the directive for years to come.
This is a PR money making stunt. Just add it to the list.


Commendable, you got some good insight. The latest is the night ban on Chapter 2 aircrafts from Delhi. A friend of mine in Alliance informed me that they will not be able to operate their old 737 from 10pm to 6:00 am in/out of Delhi... lets see how Blue Dart reacts to this. The proposed ban is supposed to come in effect from winter schedule, October 31, or Sept 30 whenever that winter schedule starts. Mark these dates and count on the quiet extensions which roll in.

[Meccano]

One final anecdote from the Air China Medical.
You are required to have a chest X-Ray apparently.
My mates told me they were herded into the X-Ray room together, then the first man was told to strip to the waist and position himself against the target - the radiographer retreated behind his lead screen, but left the other guys all standing around the 'patient'!
If one of them hadn't shouted HALT the radiographer would have happily zapped them all 6 times with X-Rays!! Chinese Aviation Medicals are bad for your health!!

BTW, one of the guys reported that the X-Ray machine was pointed outward at a flimsy wooden door, behind which people were queuing for their turn. So even if you aren't in that room you may be getting dosed with X-Rays every time they fire. Stand well back! Be warned.

[drive73]

These guys are the all pro's of baksheesh, no one in this part of the world comes close. Blue dart will be back in business when one of their home renovations get delayed, because something didn't arrive on time due to this regulation.

[Legal_Eagle]

A manager at an Airline has sent me a copy of the directive. The wording is:

"Class 1 Medical Examination for Civil Expat Aircrew flying under FATA License".

In case you weren't aware it is aimed at foreigners, not Indian Nationals flying under FATA. When an Indian is having problems where i come from, they are quick to pull the race card.

Civilian crews having to sit a military medical? How archaic!

[NGFellow]

Apparently about 2 dozen odd expat pilots at AIE have failed their medical in India.
Indian medical standards are very different from FAA/JAA. Failing an Indian medical does mean that your wings will be clipped here in India. But as long as you meet the standards of the examining authority you will be fine in that country.

As far as fitness, having flown in India previously, I know that there are many chain smoking, heavy drinking, overweight pilots here who perhaps are a higher risk and live an unhealthy lifestyle. But, they know how to work the system. 30 days prior to their scheduled medical, they go on a strict diet, ayurvedic medicine, yoga etc plus local products to bring blood pressure and sugar down. They pass the medical and then off to their normal routine again.

Now, it's not everyone who does it, but it does happen here. It probably happens elsewhere as well but not as drastic because the FAA is far more pilot friendly than the DGCA when it comes to a medical. There are many ATP holders in the U.S flying for years with "one eye", prosthetic leg, cancer survivors etc.

[sky jet]

NG Fellow,

This ruling was only sent to us in the last 6 days. How have 24 expats already failed the physical at AIE? I am not doubting your credibility I just can't imagine anything happening that fast in India. Did AI implement this policy earlier on their own? Was this a prescreening physical? I am just trying to get a handle on how this is going to work for us. I am fairly young and pretty healthy, but I do take a hypertension med that I am worried about.

Jet

[Aer Doctor]

The medicals in india for civil pilots are conducted as per the guide line of ICAO. The are relaxed compared to Mil standards and done completed generally within half a day. Nothing to fear about them if you are ok.

[itsbrokenagain]

Actually I beg to differ... that they follow the ICAO on medicals, I think the whole medical system in India needs an overhaul and Pilots should be getting off their asses and getting it to happen instead of keeping the system in the dark ages and encouraging it to stay that way... plus come on what developed country demands all Class 1 medicals be done at only air force centers!

I think India is now the world leader is sillyness in Pilots medicals...if they say they are not willing to consider a JAA/EASA, CASA or FAA medical as equal to their own, and require Pilots to do a Indian medical also then just by this admission they are considering themselves a higher authority than all these developed countries and the ICAO and are not complying with the ICAO guidelines.

Oh and in the rest of the world a medical can generally be done in an hour or less, not half a day!

[Turkpilot]

You really think the FAA has the time and manpower to investigate whether someone failed an Indian medical. Are you on crack??? That is too funny.

[jimmygill]

Indian medical also then just by this admission they are considering themselves a higher authority than all these developed countries and the ICAO and are not complying with the ICAO guidelines.

No contracting state is under any obligation to validate any licenses of any other contracting state.

Hence its completely under DGCAs authority to establish the requirement for a FATA validation.

Can you be specific which guideline is the DGCA not following?


The medicals in india for civil pilots are conducted as per the guide line of ICAO. The are relaxed compared to Mil standards and done completed generally within half a day

People are not worried about the standards. The standards are fine. Its the people who execute these standards, who are at fault. If one is healthy its not a big deal. The expertise and freedom from prejudice of the medical examiner counts when a pilot is borderline. If someone has high cholesterol levels quantifying that level into actual risk of incapacitation in next 180 days is a skill lacking in some of these go by book doctors... I have personally known people in good health getting OZ and FAA class 1 and the buggers at DGCA denying them a Class 1 based on whims and fancies... there are certain things which military cannot produce good doctors and engineers are two of them... and yes if we consider IAF we can add good test pilots to that list.

[Meccano]

If you are involved in a serious incident or accident they will investigate everything about you. If you lied on your renewal Form....sayonara.....

[jimmygill]

If you lied on your renewal Form....sayonara.....

Sayonara of course, but only if your lie were caught. Surviving pilots get better chances to defend themselves.

Remember as long as you survive you still have a right to your body, once you are dead in an air accident the body belongs to minor accent Inspector of Accidents.

[sunset_contrails_10]

Who Cares!!! I am not going to tell anyone that I failed a medical because I couldn't stand on my head and juggle six tennis balls with my feet. What relevence would this have in any accident, incident or otherwise? Especially an agency that if you offer the right amount of rupees, you a suddenly a picture of health.

[Meccano]

Did they ask you to do that? Jeez, they musta had it in for ya.
Just tick the YES box, and explain it to your home AME. Let him take it from there.
Honesty is the best policy.

[itsbrokenagain]

You know there is no 'Have you failed a non FAA medical' tick box on the FAA medical form... so like we know they dont give a ****e as long as you can pass their exam you are good to go.

[nikaviator]

"Class 1 Medical Examination for Civil Expat Aircrew flying under FATA License".

In case you weren't aware it is aimed at foreigners, not Indian Nationals flying under FATA. When an Indian is having problems where i come from, they are quick to pull the race card.


There's a draft amendment for CAR section 7 pertaining to this issue, basically stating very succinctly that Indian pilots are not allowed to fly under FATA.


Civilian crews having to sit a military medical? How archaic!


I couldn't agree more!

[jimmygill]

There's a draft amendment for CAR section 7 pertaining to this issue, basically stating very succinctly that Indian pilots are not allowed to fly under FATA.


Such proposed amendment is not legally admissible. Can you please cite where this draft CAR is on the website.

@others
Race comes in a real life at lots of places, but not through CARs.

[nikaviator]

@Jimmygill...

http://www.dgca.nic.in/misc/draft%20cars/D7G-G2%20(Draft%20July%202010).pdf


Basically the DGCA plans to stop issuing FATA to Indian Nationals with foreign licenses altogether, so Indian pilots will not be allowed to fly under FATA in the future. Also, Indian Nationals currently flying under FATA will have to convert their licenses within a specified time frame if the proposed amendment goes through:


Excerpt:

"
2. LICENCE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
2.1 General Requirements
(i) The applicant be licensed and rated on the type of aircraft by the competent authority of a contracting State in accordance with the ICAO requirements and acceptable to DGCA India.

(ii) The Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation shall not be issued in respect of Indian Nationals having valid foreign licence. They will be required to convert their Foreign licence in accordance with the requirements stipulated in CAR Setion 3 Series ‘G’ Part I. "
............................................................ ...........................

ix) A FATA granted to Indian Nationals prior to the issue of this CAR shall be considered for extension for a maximum period of 120 days or as determined by Director General beyond the expiry of their FATA to enable them to convert their Foreign licence into Indian licence in accordance with the requirements laid down in CAR Section 7 Series ‘G’ Part I. "

[airjet]

I flew in India for 4 years and the 1st 6 months i flew on a jamaican expired licence, and a valid FAA medical, so much for them knowing what the hell the are doing, this is just because some indian pilots are pissed because they have to pass via "air force doctors"------only in india lol

[Legal_Eagle]

Anyone fronted up for the "medical examination" yet?

I suggest we try and keep a running total on how many passes, fails and of course, no shows.

[rhinoboy55]

lots of speculating here, how about any done having done it?

[mercy 320]

I had a FATA
I did My Indian Medical In march 2010 Class 1 .
It was 5 days of full check.to be honest It was well worth It .
i did it in IAM Bangalore Lots of waiting, Running around and In the end it was all fine.I was aupposed to bbe 73 Kgs for my age and Height.
I was 76 kgs so they put a stamp saying Advised to reduce weight .

the only thing the BLR Commanding officer asked me at the end was .Is my company paying me a Expat wage or Local wage. I said I get paid in Rupees like everybody else and I send my family money in rupees from India but they get that in $$$$ in their account.

I was not sure why she asked me that .............

[nafod]

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.

[masalama]

Sorry to see people leave due to this rule. As usual , we're great at missing out the big picture here. Nafod, all the best for your future and I'm sure those that have flown with you have benefitted in some way or other.
I was half afraid they would find a fetus in there since the act to cause same happens to me daily here. (He smiles)

Wow, you must have been lucky ...good memories perhaps???

take care and masalama.