VEERAVALLI RAJU SOLOMON Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This hearing has been done through hybrid mode (physical and virtual hearing).

(2.) The Petitioner, is a pilot who successfully completed his flight training in Florida, USA, and obtained a Commercial Pilot License issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (hereinafter FAA ). The Petitioner intended to obtain his Indian Commercial Pilot Licence (hereinafter ICPL ) on the strength of the flying experience he had obtained in the USA.

(3.) The procedure to apply and obtain the ICPL is governed by the Aircraft Act, 1934 and the Aircraft Rules, 1937 (hereinafter the Rules, 1937 ), framed thereunder. One of the requirements under the Act and Rules is also referred to as recency requirement . As per this requirement, the flying experience only six months prior to the date of the making the application for an ICPL, would be taken into consideration towards fulfilment of the pre-requisites of the application. This requirement is stipulated in Section J(1)(e) of Schedule II of the Rules, 1937 and reads as under: