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Despite high security alert, several aircraft of domestic airlines are flying without Cockpit Door Surveillance System (CDSS). This is against the norms prescribed under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) rules, which govern flying.
CDSS helps the commander and the co-pilot view what is happening outside the cockpit. This is possible with a special application which connects integrated video computer, video cameras and a system controller. Such a system requires special wiring and hardware.
After the incidences of 9/11, aviation regulators worldwide adopted new security measures including bulletproof cockpit doors and CDSS.
In India, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has provided for this provision in CAR. Section 8 states, “In all aeroplanes which are equipped with a flight crew compartment door, means will be provided for monitoring from either pilot's station the entire door area outside the flight crew compartment to identify persons requesting entry and to detect suspicious behaviour or potential threat.”
“All new aircraft to be imported after January 1, 2008 should have CDSS installed at the time of import. Aircraft already imported should comply with this requirement during their next ‘C' check falling after January 1, 2008.”
Technically, all the aircraft belonging to domestic airlines should have CDSS.
Exemption
But a highly placed source told Business Line , “Airlines apply for exemption on one ground or other and they get the exemption without detailed explanation.”
However, the exact number of aircraft which did not meet the prescribed requirement was not immediately available.
The rule applies to aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 45,000 kg or with a passenger seating capacity greater than 60.
The aircraft also need to be equipped with an approved flight are compartment door that is designed to resist penetration by small arms fire and grenade shrapnel and to resist forcible intrusion by unauthorised persons.
The door should be capable of being locked and unlocked from either pilot's station.
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