Domestic pilots band to form new Association

Domestic aviators including aircraft owners and operators have banded together to form an Association last week, aimed at safeguarding the interests of domestic aircraft owners and operators.

By Asiri Fernando

Domestic aviators including aircraft owners and operators have banded together to form an Association last week, aimed at safeguarding the interests of domestic aircraft owners and operators.The new association comes in the backdrop tightening of domestic Aviation regulations after the Easter Sunday Bombings. 

The organisation named Domestic Aircraft Owners’ and Operators’ Association, Sri Lanka (DAOOA-SL) was formed at the Rathmalana airport.  According to Capt. G A Fernando, President DAOOA-SL, the association aims to ensure connectivity for all, with safe, secure, efficient, regular, reliable and an environmentally responsive domestic aviation industry. 

"We believe that the restrictions was a knee-jerk reaction by the regulators and not well thought out," said Capt Fernando. He explained that he has to obtain security clearance from 4 government agencies to fly an aircraft prior to the April 21st attack.

"Earlier the security clearance issued by the the State Intelligence Services(SIS) was valid for 2 years, after the new regulations, we have obtain SIS security clearance again, which takes around four months" he pointed out.

Due to the new regulations some of the foreign student pilots who were undergoing training in Sri Lanka have pulled out leaving several flight training schools at a loss. 

Fernando pointed out that restrictions on helicopter operations and the use of the amphibious air taxis favoured by many tourists have been significantly affected due to the new regulations which have not been eased since the Easter Sunday attack.

The use of Parachutes, Paramotoring, Skydiving and Hot air balloons have all been suspended. These recreational and leisure flights had attracted many tourists in the past. The use of unmanned aircraft (drones, hobby flying) has also been suspended with no review so far. 

However, HMC Nimalsiri, Director General CAA-SL told Times Online, that the regulations were necessary due to the prevailing security situation and that the pilots and trainees require to get re-clearance from the SIS in order to fit in with the new regulations. He rejected claims that the regulations was a knee-jerk reaction but conceded that a full review was necessary. 

Mr Nimalsiri claimed that some of the restrictions for domestic air operators have been relaxed but couldn't specify a date a full review of the regulations will be made.