According to the story the pilot was helicopter rated, and he was stripped of his license because he was caught flying multiengine planes
Authorities: Pilot of flight that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle only had student license
From page 2 of the article:
"The pilot who was supposed to fly the plane with Jimenez at his side refused to do so when Jimenez arrived at the airport with 11 passengers, according to Luis Irizarry, an attorney for Perez' company. He said Jimenez then took the plane himself without authorization."