JOIN USFliers beware. Taking selfies on board a plane could land you in trouble.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, a governmental regulatory body, is set to crack the whip on airlines allowing fliers or crew members to take photos while flying.
The DGCA is preparing the guidelines for airlines to strictly enforce an existing ban on in-flight photography, especially in cockpits, following widespread violation of the rules even by crew members.
Though there are restrictions on taking photos on flights, the DGCA’s plan is to come out with detailed guidelines that leave no ambiguity on the issue.
In recent times, there have been cases of crew members and fliers taking selfies in the cockpit. Six pilots of a low-cost airline had come under the DGCA scanner last month for taking pictures with their family members in the cockpit.
Official sources said such photos had serious security implications and that the DGCA had taken the matter seriously.
With regard to selfies and smartphones, sources said, the guidelines will be elaborate covering all aspects. It will be a safety circular and are expected to be issued next week. The sources said there were rules already in place for “photography at aerodromes or from an aircraft in flight”.
Under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, photography from an aircraft in flight is prohibited unless one has obtained prior permission.
“No person shall take, or cause or permit to be taken, at a government aerodrome or from an aircraft in flight, any photograph except in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a permission in writing,” according to the Rules.
Permission for such activity would be granted by the Director General, Joint Director General, Deputy Director General or Director of Regulations and Information of the Civil Aviation Department, it added.