The Hindu Business Line : Hydraulic failure in aircraft `not serious'

If you are flying in an aircraft that develops a hydraulic problem, do not panic just sit back and enjoy the rest of the journey. Just recall the advice of the Director General of Civil Aviation, Mr Kanu Gohain, that there are at least three other systems on an aircraft that will take over if one fails or there is a malfunction.

"A hydraulic problem merely means that one of the three systems had failed or developed a snag and the pilot, as laid down by procedures, has to necessarily seek landing under emergency conditions," said the man who has been nominated by the Government to monitor safety of aircraft and passengers that fly in the Indian sky. He added that landing under emergency conditions did not necessarily mean an emergency landing.

Participating in a workshop on `Crisis-Is the media reporting with responsibility', Mr Gohain felt that there were several checks and balances to ensure that untoward incidents do not happen. The workshop had been organised by the India Chapter of the Asia Pacific Aviation Media Association (APAMA).

Commenting on incidents of "air-misses", the DGCA explained that after the crash of two aircraft near Delhi, the Government had mandated that each aircraft above a particular weight must have an aircraft avoidance system. "When two aircraft are about 9-10 nautical miles from one another the aircraft avoidance system will give advice to the pilot. The pilots are trained on how to interpret these signals and take action," said Mr Gohain.