SANGAM

CAAN cap on CPL issue

SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 09 -

In the wake of an increasing number of pilots being unemployed every year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has revised its Commercial Pilot License (CPL) issuance rule aiming to limit new license holders to some extent.

As per the new rule, now onwards, the CAAN will conduct only three-scheduled CPL tests each year as against the existing four tests.

The CPL is a qualification certificate that permits the holder to act as the Pilot-in-command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.

Students, who have accomplished their examination and training in pilot course are authorized by the CPL from their respective institutions after they complete the relevant written exams and tests.

After the course completion abroad, the pilot graduates need to pass a separate CPL test in their home country, conducted under CAAN to hold a Private Pilot certificate. The move by CAAN, the regulatory body of the aviation sector in Nepal, came after the recent concern raised by the Airlines Operators’ Association of Nepal (AOAN) that the country has 194 pilots grounded as the domestic aviation industry was unable to adjust the supply of the pilots each year.

“Our initiative is to teach the pilot aspirants that the country’s aviation sector was unable to create employment opportunity in line with the increasing trend of students looking for the course abroad,” said Binod Giri, director, Aviation Safety Department, CAAN.

According to CAAN, about 200 pilots who have passed the CPL test recently are waiting for employment while around 150 students are pursuing the course abroad.

“There was no fixed schedule of conducting the CPL test before. The CAAN used to act in response to the pilot groups before. However, now onwards, there will be managed and fixed schedule to issue the license,” said Ram Prasad Neupane, Director General at CAAN.

According to data of the AOAN, from May 2008 May to July 2010 194 pilots qualified for the commercial pilot license (CPL) conducted by the CAAN.

Recently, the AOAN had said that pilot aspirants were spending big amounts of money, with no result. Over the last two years, more than Rs. 540 million flew off to foreign countries for the pilot course. One student’s minimum expense comprises Rs. 3 million as tuitions fee only.

Until now, CAAN has conducted the examination for the 44th pilot batch. “Some 650 pilots attended the CPL, and 413 qualified for the license.

The craze for the pilot course has risen significantly since two years. According to AOAN, jobs shortfall for the pilots started since the 36 batch.

Before this, there was demand for Nepali pilots in both domestic and international aviation sector. Over 27 pilots are working in Indian aviation. On July 16, after the Indian government announced giving priority to Indians, Nepali pilots have started returning from India.