"I have no sympathy for him at all.". .If you knew all the facts, which you obviously don't, you might think differently. There again, going by the tone of your post, perhaps you wouldn't.
"As regards the fine, he's a businessman who has his own helicopter or can afford to rent one so a £45,000 fine + fees for what he did will probably not upset him too much.". .Shame the judge didn't fine him a million pounds, or £2 million. Rich git! The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head again. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> . .He was fined £5000 and ordered to pay the CAA's costs which they said were £40,000!!. .How many pilots have got £40,000 to risk fighting a case? I certainly haven't and would probably have to plead guilty rather than take the risk.
"The CAA was right to prosecute him.". .Who's suggested they were wrong?. .BUT. .* they built the incident up out of all proportion and asked for it to be heard in the crown court. He was prepared to be dealt with in the magistrates court.. .* they claimed the woman was blown through the air for 20 feet. None of their so-called "experts" (all CAA employees) pointed out that had to be complete bollox. The because it suited them to go along with it.. .* they built the incident up out of all proportion and tried to have him convicted for reckless flying which was completely over the top for a simple mistake. (He had a professional pilot with him. BOTH failed to see the hazard.)
"While the media in their usual way exaggerated the story the pilot was still wrong to do what he did and did in fact plead guilty to the charges.". .From what I've heard (from a reliable source). .* You can't blame the media this time, they aren't aviators. But the CAA are - and they still claimed the woman was lifted in the air and blown 20 feet - by a Twin Squirrel!! The CAA and their barrister were talking to the Press throughout the case.. .* Who's suggested the pilot wasn't in the wrong. He made a mistake, and paid a heavy (IMHO) price.. .
"did in fact plead guilty to the charges.". .Wrong! He pleaded guilty to one charge. The CAA spent three days trying to prove he was reckless and gave up. He pleaded guilty to negligent flying. i.e. making a mistake.. .
"We shouldn't automatically criticise the CAA for doing their job just because they prosecute a fellow pilot.". .I agree, as long as they do it fairly and don't go completely over the top. They weren't fair, and did go completely over the top.
PS. .Is that 'North Sea' full-time?. .Or CAA Ops Inspector with occasional North Sea trips?. .Just asking!