New Delhi: India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has for the first time allowed transgender pilots to fly aircraft. On Wednesday, medical guidelines have been issued regarding this, which will allow transgenders to fly aeroplanes in the country. The DGCA has said in its circular that transgender candidates who have completed their hormone therapy or who started therapy 5 years ago will be able to fly planes, provided they have to undergo a mental health check-up test.

The Mental Health Test for transgender candidates will be based on a blueprint set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The circular states that "transgender applicants who are taking hormone therapy or have undergone surgery within the last 5 years will be screened for mental health status."

According to the guidelines, transgender candidates will not only have to undergo psychological and mental assessment but will also have to give a certificate from their endocrinologist as well as surgeon about any surgery, which should be based on the test done in the last year. Only if the candidate clears all these tests will he be declared fit and allowed to sit in the cockpit. Additionally, those on life-long hormone therapy will only be admitted if they can prove that they have reached a stable dose. According to DGCA, medical guidelines are applicable for all categories of pilot licences. Private pilot's license, student's pilot license and commercial pilot license. However, transgender persons have been allowed to fly only as first officers. If a transgender pilot is pilot-in-command, their co-pilot should have 250 hours of experience on that machine.  

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