No Norms to specify life of aircraft flying in India: Minister

According to General Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Civil Aviation, there are no norms prescribed by DGCA to specify the shelf life of an aircraft in the country. He said aircraft in India could fly till their certificate for their type is valid and are under production or maintenance support by their manufacturer. “The aircraft are considered airworthy provided the maintenance is as per the approved schedule laid down by the manufacturer. Aircraft registered in India may operate if the type certificate is valid for the type of aircraft and it is under production/maintenance support provided by the manufacturer for the continuous operation of the aircraft,” Singh said. He added the aviation regulator has laid down age criteria for importing aircraft to India. “Aircraft to be used for air cargo ops are restricted to 25-years or 75 per cent of its designed economic life in terms of pressurization cycles, whichever is earlier,” the ministry said.