Air India pilot fails Dreamliner test

[niksmathew24]

NEW DELHI: Boeing has returned an Air India commander sent to Singapore for getting trained on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner back to India after the pilot was not found fit flying the aircraft. This despite the fact that the airline managed extra training slots for him but even then commander, who currently flies a Boeing 747, could not fit the bill.

AI is learnt to have spent over Rs 20 lakh in training this controversial captain who was sent to Singapore despite being over 55 years of age. With a retirement age of 58, AI was to send pilots just over 50 years so that it can recover the training expense incurred on them in his or her remaining years of service. The airline did not offer its comment for the story.

"The simulator training cost is $700-800 per hour. Even though AI will not be paying now because there are certain free hours as per the order deal, it will have to eventually start paying once the free hours are over," said sources.

Incidentally the pilots of erstwhile AI and Indian Airlines are engaged in a battle of attrition over who will fly the 787. AI pilots' strike mainly on this issue entered the 11th day on Friday and shows no sign of abating. AI pilots claim that the airline would be wasting huge sums of money in converting Airbus pilots to a Boeing aircraft.

Rs 20L spent, Air India pilot fails Dreamliner test - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rs-20L-spent-Air-India-pilot-fails-Dreamliner-test/articleshow/13329105.cms)

As a tax payer paying a large chunk of my salary for this mess, I seriously wonder where this is all going to end. :ugh:

[dgtl887]

I really don't think it is appropriate to discuss someone failing a checkride on a public forum (let alone a news site).

Whether the company followed guidelines regarding sending someone who is 55+ is another matter, but that's not what the headline screams.

[PT6A]

Of course it is.

This is not about someone failing a check ride, this is about a pilot selected for the initial cadre while they induct a new type....

He failed his check ride but was then unable to reach the standard despite being given remedial training.

I wonder in which areas he was deficient? Maybe this is the first time in his career he has faced an impartial check ride that was conducted according to proper standards.

[fatbus]

I'm sure he won't be the last! Might highlite AI poor standards

[de facto]

Loooooooser:E
Seriously 55 of age to transfer from a 747 to a 787 is begging for trouble.

[Gypsy]

Sorry but what a load of blinkered rubbish.

An experienced Boeing pilot should have no difficulty transferring from one Boeing to another at 55 or even older provided he has the personal motivation to do the work.

Switching between more diverse types, for example from a Boeing to an Airbus over 55, is more difficult but I know many that have done it.

[de facto]

Maybe the boeing guys should check him in the 747 first:E

[captjns]

Maybe the boeing guys should check him in the 747 first

The chap in question probably does have the pull, support and or nepotism from his fellow cronies as he does in Singapore to pass a check ride in the whale or Dream liner... Oh well.

And these glorified bell hops in uniform wonder why nobody takes them seriously or accorded with the respect of their peers from round the world:ugh:.

[Victor Inox]

I really don't think it is appropriate to discuss someone failing a checkride on a public forum (let alone a news site).

As long as AI (and its employees, including cockpit crew) are being kept financially afloat by the taxpayer, the public has every right to know when and how their money is being flushed down the drain.

What is the point of selecting pilots of this advanced age for training on a new type? Poor financial decision in the first place.

That the guy doesn't deliver on the SIM makes it even worse.

[Windsprite]

I could not agree more with the views expressed by Gypsy. Any Boeing 747 pilot who is competent should have no problems converting to 787. Age is not a criterion for learning ability.