DGCA Issues Fresh Norms for Airlines
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulator of aviation in India has issued Fresh norms mandating correct landing procedures and occupying of the cockpit in the backdrop of the recent Air India Express mishap in Mangalore, Karnataka in India.
DGCA has instructed directives on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all scheduled, non-scheduled and general aviation operators to go for ‘correct landing’ procedures that is made at the correct point on the runway with the correct flight parameters than soft landing which results in a delayed touchdown that require harsh deceleration to avoid overshooting the runway or other catastrophes. In case of an unstablised approach the pilot should go-around for another opportunity to conduct a safe approach to land.
The cockpit has to be manned by minimum crew complement at all times and if one of the crew members has to leave the cockpit, a senior member among  cabin crew is required to be inside the cockpit and occupy the observer seat.
The other procedures that the crew including the pilots have to follow are; Prior to opening the flight deck door, the forward galley area should be free of passengers. The curtain between the galley and the cabin must be drawn during such times. Absence from cockpit should be restricted to the minimum time necessary and the flight deck door is locked whilst crew member is absent. The forward galley area must remain sterile during the absence from the flight deck and the crew member returning to the flight deck should follow the entry request procedure. The pilot remaining in the cockpit shall wear shoulders harness, and headset and maintain high level of alertness, and situational awareness. He should have an un-obstructed access to the flight controls.