India may see trans people as pilots soon as DGCA issues new norms
This set of norms can be considered the first stepping stone in the right direction
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has finally laid down rules of medical evaluation for people belonging to the transgender community. It can be considered the first step in the right direction for making the aviation industry more inclusive.
Why now? This move comes two years after a transgender trainee pilot, Adam Harry was allegedly denied a commercial pilot's license because he was undergoing a hormone therapy.
However, on July 13 2022, the DGCA invited Harry to apply again and said that a transgender person could be issued a 'fit' medical certificate, provided there are no associated medical, psychiatric or psychological conditions.
What are the new guidelines?
- A transgender applicant's medical fitness will be evaluated in accordance with the person's case, as per the DGCA's instructions to medical officers.
- This will allow declaring transgender people who have completed gender transition therapy or surgery 'fit to fly.'
According to the guidelines, "Candidates who have completed their hormone therapy and gender affirmation surgery more than five years ago will
be declared medically fit provided they clear screening for mental health in accordance with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health."
- The guidelines also state that class 2 or class 3 (initial) medical examiners taking up cases of transgender pilots will obtain a detailed medical report from the treating specialist assisting the applicant.
- The applicant must also submit a detailed report from the training endocrinologist containing the details of hormone therapy.
(Snaps from DGCA's new norms. Credit: DGCA)
"I am very happy with the DGCA's decision. This is the first time the DGCA has changed its stance on transgender people. This will not only encourage other transgender people dreaming of being pilots to come out of the closet, but everyone in the community to pursue the career of their choice. It is a big win for the transgender community," Adam Harry said to The Hindu.
Adam Harry's Case: The DGCA declined Adam Harry, the first transgender pilot in India, his flying licence on grounds of gender dysphoria and hormone replacement therapy.
In January 2020, Harry applied for a medical examination to convert his private pilot licence from an aviation academy in South Africa. But he was assessed as “temporary unfit” for six months as he was undergoing cross-sex hormone treatment. Several reports claim that during his medical examination for the licence, he was asked several transphobic questions. However, after severe backlash, DGCA in July 2022, asked Harry to reapply for a medical test to get the license.
Adam Harry was certified as a female at birth. He underwent surgery in 2021 and began his hormonal therapy in 2018.
Some restrictions: However, transgender pilots may have limitations imposed on them such as being restricted to flying as first officers (junior pilots) or requiring their copilot to have 250 hours of flight experience on that particular kind of aircraft, or to be a senior captain who is a trainer when they are flying as pilot-in-command.