Originally Posted by
DARKMAIZE
Unless I'm mistaken....
Clearly his thinking was influenced, as taking an aircraft without permission and flying it in such a way in such a location would mean he would be unlikely to ever get a conversion approved by CASA surely.
You may be mistaken on this point. CASA are obligated to grant a licence on application from the holder of a NZ licence. I don't think there is a "fit and proper person" test for that process (although you do have to declare a criminal conviction on the form). But having nicked a helicopter and earned a criminal conviction for it it becomes a moot point whatever licence you might have as no employer will hire you to fly its helicopter. It took a bit of skill to fly that helicopter low level over water at night, and a lot of luck. His luck eventually ran out, assuming he had no intention to kamikaze into the building.