Bangladeshi pilots, aircraft engineers to get UK-standard aviation licenses

Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority is taking an initiative to issue UK-standard licenses to Bangladeshi pilots and aircraft engineers to create more work opportunities for them at the international level. It has already submitted a proposal to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) in this regard. If the proposal is approved and implemented, one can apply and participate in the online examination from the office of CAAB. Passing the online examination will make the examinee eligible for the UK-standard certificate. The proposal says that the application for the certificates of the professional flight crew (aircraft and helicopter) and aircraft maintenance work license will be available online. A source says an e-exam system will be installed for UK-standard license examination. It will cost €52,250 for the computers, labs and other facilities that the system will require. A participant will have to pay €75 to take the examination. Bangladesh will have to pay tax, vat and other government fees. The computer will be controlled by a security software that will not allow the examinee to use the computer for other purposes during the examination. The result will be published swiftly. UK’s CAA will prepare the exam questions according to ESAS standard. CAAB member (operation and planning) Mostafizur Rahman said: “We are working on the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s proposals on holding exams and giving licenses according to UK standards. “This will help create more job opportunities for Bangladeshi pilots and aircraft engineers at the international level. We are now working on the procedures for issuing the certificate and other issues.” UK’s CAA holds the e-exam in over 100 venues in more than 25 countries thrice a year. Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy flying academy and retired wing commander ATM Nazrul Islam said that it was important whether the license would be issued solely by UK CAA or jointly with CAAB. There are some legal issues at the national level, he said. “It will certainly be a good initiative if the examination is taken on the basis of UK standard,” Nazrul said. “This will enhance the acceptance of Bangladeshi aviators and increase job opportunities at both domestic and international airlines.”This article was first published on Bangla Tribune.