Bribe your way to the top

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The story of Yashraj Tongia and his Yash Air Flying School is also quite interesting. Any young or old pilot who is even a little bit aware about the Indian aviation industry knows of Yash Air Flying School in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. In fact, Bollywood star Sohail Khan took his flying lessons from there. In its website, the school claims to be the largest flying academy in India.

On 19 May 2010, two persons undergoing training at Yash Air Flying School (one was an aspiring flight instructor and the other was a trainee pilot) died in a crash after their Cessna-152 hit a high-tension wire and crashed into a dry riverbed in Ujjain.

According to the DGCA accident investigation report, the probable cause of the accident was low flying and the contributory factors were no monitoring of flying activity and ineffective supervision. It was also mentioned in the report that “there was no information from the academy to the regional air safety office”. In fact, the regional office tried to contact the chief flight instructor (Tongia) but he was not available on phone. The first communication in person with the chief flight instructor was established on 20 May 2010, and that too only after the arrival of the DGCA representative at the crash site.

A DGCA audit report filed in August 2010 also mentions that Yash Air Flying School furnished false information to the DGCA regarding its licence. The DGCA report asked for a detailed inspection of the flying club, including their records, facilities, efficiency of flight instructors to teach students, etc. Some students also filed cases, alleging that Tongia had fabricated documents while giving them licences and had duped them of their money.

The biggest irony was that the chief flight instructor (Tongia) of the academy was appointed as the director of flying training, DGCA, by the Union Public Service Commission in June 2012. In fact, Tongia’s appointment was recommended in 2011, but the process was delayed. Later, he appealed to the Central Administrative Tribunal, which cleared his appointment.

The director of flying training is a post of high importance as the person is responsible for maintaining flight standard at flying schools. It is important to note that Tongia was appointed at this post despite the fact that civil aviation ministry wanted to get him scrutinised by the Intelligence Bureau.

According to the information available with Tehelka, Tongia was terminated by the DGCA five months ago. But it is important to note that he retained his post without getting a security clearance from the Intelligence Bureau and the home ministry for around two and a half years.

“Neither the IB nor the home ministry gave a security clearance to Tongia because of the gross financial irregularities that he committed at the Madhya Pradesh Flying School and Udan Flying School, both located in Indore,” says Indore-based journalist Ghanshyam Patel, who specialises in cases of aviation irregularities. “His Yash Air Flying School was not supposed to get an affiliation because of these financial irregularities, but he somehow managed to get it. This is a clear case of conflict of interest as he was holding the post of director (flying training) at the DGCA as well was looking after the flying club. Recently, Tongia’s file came under scrutiny and he was terminated.”

Patel claims that according to DGCA records, Tongia’s flying skills are below average during a test conducted by the regulator. “His flying skills were below an average CPL holder, but still he retained the post of director of flying training,” says Patel. “The DGCA is hand in glove with Tongia. Otherwise how can he retain his position for such a long period?”

Adds a retired Air India pilot on the condition of anonymity, “Tongia was facing more than 1,000 cases, but he still became the director of flying training. His students had filed cases against him at the Indore and Lucknow High Courts, which have moved to the Supreme Court.”

On the cases of Garima Passi and Rashmi Sharan, he adds, “These kids got licences with the help of their fathers. On paper, Rashmi has cleared the DGCA exam, so she cannot be withdrawn. Same is the case of Garima who got her licence by unfair means and is still flying.”

When contacted, Air India Express Chief Operating Officer Capt Pushpendra Singh said, “I was not the COO at that time (of hiring) and was not aware about their recruitment.” He passed the buck saying the “corporate communication department will give the answer”. But Tehelka is yet to receive any word.

Questioned about the cases against him, AK Sharan said, “I was neither in charge of the examination nor do I have any authority over the process. I didn’t give any permission for the special exams. For example, if my nephew is appearing for the IAS exam, who am I to give him the permission? I am not the authority.”

When asked about giving permission to the ill-equipped flying club (Touchwood Aviation), he said, “It’s common sense that no flying can be conducted without any aircraft.”

Later, he got angry and said, “You are on the side of my enemies. You are also part of their game plan. I was eligible to become the DGCA director but my enemies conspired against me because they didn’t wanted me to become the director.”

Tehelka made repeated attempts to contact Garima but she didn’t respond.

When asked about the recruitment of Garima Passi and Rashmi Sharan, this is what IndiGo had to say, “In the recruitment of CPL holders, the operator has no wherewithal to verify the authenticity of the licence issued by the regulatory authority (DGCA). As an operator, we ensure that the validity and currency of various licence endorsements are maintained in conformity to the regulatory requirements. In case the license is endorsed with suspension of any nature, the management team reflects on the nature of the suspension and drills deep into the causes before taking a call on hiring the pilot. After this document verification, we subject the pilot to a check in the simulator not only to assess his/her flying skills but his/her decision-making capability, the CRM (crew resource management) and communication skills. A reference check is also carried out at the same time with his/her previous employer. In most cases, the previous employer responds. If not, the candidate needs to furnish the names of two references who are associated with the airline business and a background check is initiated.”

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