Nearly 1,700 Pilots May Have Trained in Non-Qualified Simulators

India’s primary aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is forcing IndiGo to the stand after learning that up to 1,700 of its pilots may have conducted training in unapproved flight simulators. The airline has two weeks to respond to the show-cause notice.

The regulator says the lapses involve training for “critical airfield” operations into Leh, Kozhikode, and Kathmandu… all airports that demand extra preparation due to terrain, runway layout, or other unique challenges.

DGCA’s investigation found that several of IndiGo’s full flight simulators lacked the proper qualifications for these airports. The issue wasn’t isolated, either: 20 different simulators at facilities across Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Bengaluru were flagged.

Under Indian aviation rules, Category C airport training requires certified devices that realistically replicate the specific conditions at those airfields. According to the notice, IndiGo’s director of training was responsible for ensuring that the standard was met… and didn’t.

The regulator’s show-cause notice gives IndiGo 14 days to respond, making it clear that failing to reply will result in “ex parte action” under the Aircraft Rules. In plain terms: if IndiGo doesn’t have an explanation, the DGCA will move forward without it.

“We confirm receipt of a show-cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in process of reviewing the same and will respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline," an IndiGo spokesperson said.

Though that’s all the airline is willing to say right now, the scope of the issue is hard to miss. Nearly 1,700 pilots — captains and first officers — may have been checked out on demanding airports using equipment that regulators say doesn’t do the job.

FMI: www.goindigo.in