The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to redouble its surveillance on airlines operating in the country.

The President, NAAPE, Mr. Abednego Galadima, made this known in a communique issued to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday.

Galadima said the surveillance became necessary to ensure operators employ a sufficient number of qualified pilots and engineers to operate and maintain their aircraft fleets without compromising safety.

He noted that there were reports that several aircraft operators do not have a sufficient number of qualified and experienced technical personnel to operate and maintain their aircraft fleets.

According to him, consequently, the available technical personnel are overworked, with the safety implication that several errors arising from fatigue could set in.

Galadima said NAAPE was concerned about this development, and hereby strongly advise the NCAA to intensify its surveillance on operators.

The association’s president noted that in the interest of safety, NAAPE advised the authority to put adequate measures in place to stop sector payment of pilots by airlines and other aircraft operators.

He said: “Several airlines and aircraft operators are in the habit of paying their pilots based on the sector payment methodology.

“Sector payment to pilots, which is calculated based on the number of successful flights a pilot performs on daily basis, has been perceived to have very grave safety implications.

“For the purpose of earning more money, pilots could be negatively induced to attempt flying when an aircraft is unserviceable or when they are not medically fit to fly.

“Others are when they are under intense pressure when there are unfavorable weather conditions that may endanger flight, and to fly beyond the maximum hours stipulated by Nig.CARs 8.12.1.4.” Read more