Patna, June 9: The state civil aviation department has written a letter to the directorate-general of civil aviation (DGCA) requesting it to give permission to fly its King Air C-90 double-engine aircraft, which has not been used for the past two years.

The DGCA has not been issuing airworthiness certificate to the 33-year-old aircraft, a 9-seater (7+2), on the ground that its auto pilot feature has become defunct. Airworthiness certificate from DGCA has to be obtained every year for any aircraft that is more than 20 years old. For newer aircraft, the airworthiness certificate has to be obtained every five years.

“We are surprised at the DGCA’s stand because the auto-pilot feature of this aircraft has been non-functional for the past 12 years. DGCA continued to issue the airworthiness certificate for the first 10 years and then suddenly rejected our request in 2009,” a top source in the civil aviation department, who refused to be named, told The Telegraph. The source added that the addition of this feature would cost around Rs 1.5 crore.

The official said the DGCA’s stand appeared illogical as the need for auto-pilot feature generally comes into use when one flies at an altitude of 15,000 feet or above. “As we have been using this aircraft within the state with maximum flying time in one stretch being 45 minutes, we generally fly at a height of 7,000 feet,” added the official.

He said the denial of airworthiness certificate would force the government to opt for the standard exchange programme in which the old aircraft would have to be exchanged with a new one by paying the additional amount, which would be the difference between the price of the new aircraft and that offered for the old one.

Price of a new aircraft of this category in today’s market is about Rs 25 crore. When Bihar had bought this aircraft in the ’70s it carried a price tag of Rs 50 lakh.

“We have got the aircraft engines overhauled and even the structural inspection has been done. If the DGCA agrees to issue the airworthiness certificate without insisting on the auto-pilot feature, we would be able to use this aircraft for another seven to eight years,” said the official.

Another state aircraft, which has not been used for past three years, is the four-seater (2+2) Duchess-76 aircraft which met with an accident while landing on January 25, 2008. This is the only aircraft of its category available in the country.

“We have not been able to replace the damaged parts as the manufacturers have not been able to supply the spares despite repeated reminders. They have now promised to supply the spare parts within a month. Another three months would be needed to replace them after which the aircraft would be ready for use,” said the official.

He said the Duchess-76 aircraft was vital for VIP flying as the double-engine aircraft can land even in smaller aerodromes.