DGCA bans in-flight pictures in many cases

The civil aviation regulator in India - the DGCA - has issued regulations that make taking pictures on board aircraft pretty much impossible in most cases. And this applies to both passengers and crew, though differently. Call me cynical, but I get the feeling that the DGCA is overreacting, though airline crew and passengers aren't entirely blameless in the matter. Nonetheless, here's a deep-dive into the latest regulations on this front.

Titled "Cockpit Visit on Ground", the circular dated a month ago really has very limited coverage of on-ground matters. Instead, here's what the it states:

Many instances have come to the notice wherein cockpit crew has indulged in photography in the cockpit. In few instances, both pilots were away from the aircraft controls when the photographs were taken. On few occasion crew have also allowed people to enter cockpit and take photographs even though their entry was not covered under AIC 3 of 1997.

Taking photography during flight is source of distraction, which may lead to error and resultant reduction in safety. DGCA has already issued advice in this regard vide Operation Circular 4 of 2011 on the subject “Managing Disruptions and Distractions”. In a recent case one of the pilot was engaged in photography during training flight, which eventually resulted into an accident.

In view of the above and to ensure safety of aircraft operations, all the air operators are required to ensure the following:

a. Provision of AIC 3 of 1997 and Operation Circular 4 of 2011 on the subject are scrupulously followed.

b. Crew do not indulge in photography during any phase of flight.

c. Passengers do not indulge into photography while embarking/disembarking from the aircrafts.

What does it mean?

In summary, passengers cannot take any pictures (yes, that's how it reads), during boarding and de-boarding; that is to say, when the aircraft doors are open. So no more of these (taken after landing, just to be clear!):

 

Because the way the circular is titled, the intent seems to be that passengers should not be taking pictures of cockpit, before or after the flight. (In any case, the 1997 rules that the circular refers to, prohibits all persons except those specifically authorised, from entering the cockpit during flight phase).

However, the situation for crew seems to be slightly different, and worse. Apparently, taking pictures (or worse) can be distracting to the performance of duties, which is not an unfair position. However, crew aren't allowed to take pictures at any time during the flight. And "crew" isn't defined to restrict it to the cockpit crew, so presumably it includes cabin crew as well. Again, I'd like to think that this restriction applies only to pictures of the cockpit, which would seem reasonable.

Why?

That's easy. The DGCA (as with many things Indian government) has the tendency to overreact (like the SpiceJet Holi dance that they took offence to). That is not to say that their actions are unprovoked, or that airline crews are saints.

• Some Indigo pilots were alleged to have invited relatives into the cockpit and taken pictures, sometime in the last year or so.
• Some other Indigo pilots apparently posed for pictures with a bottle of alcohol.
• Air India almost seriously competes with the others, time and again.

The rules aren't very clear

The DGCA's circular is worthy of several interpretative issues, the main one being, is it restricted only to cockpit photography. I personally think that should be the case, restricted to photography in the cockpit, and not elsewhere on the flight - for passengers and crew.

Secondly, would these rules apply to aircraft not registered in India (overseas carriers)? While I'm no expert on Indian aviation law, I assume they would. But then, how would the DGCA track those? (Talking about distractions, this Kuwait Airways pilot would be guilty of several offences in one go!)

Bottom line

As a child, I recall visiting the flight deck quite a few times, often being invited by the crew (without my asking). Obviously, those days are now long gone.

With these new rules, at least there's a saving grace for us bloggers that in-flight pictures are permitted! That said, speaking from an avgeek's and an enthusiast's point of view, restricting the ability to view the cockpit after the flight is completed, gets a huge thumbs down from me.

Readers: How do you feel about this new rule? 

(HT: Live from a Lounge)