Dear all
This is my first thread and thought I should tell you all a tale of how I myself became another statistic of CAA prosecutions.
I qualified as a flying instructor back in October 2008 having previously completed an Integrated ATPL at a well known establishment. A lack of recruitment in the airline industry prompted me to continue flying the only way I could afford to, as an instructor.
The following incident took place in my first week as a newly qualified instructor:
I had been scheduled to do a check ride with a PPL holder of some 30 years experience that had fallen out of club currency rules, who shall be known as Mr A for explanations sake. Nothing unusual about that, happens on a weekly basis. The gentleman in question was very confident and seemed like your average club member. He told me that he'd like to go to White Waltham aerodrome that morning for his check ride and return about 30 minutes after. So without knowing any better about the situation I agreed. We checked the aircraft, signed out of the booking sheet, myself as Captain, and proceeded to depart.
This is where the trip became a disaster:
Approaching White Waltham, an airfield Mr A had assured me he was very familiar with, I myself not so, it became apparant that Mr A was unsure of our position. White Waltham, for those of you that dont know, sits over the Western boundary of Heathrow Class A. The aircraft we were flying in had a cruise speed of about 120kts at the time.
As I begun trying to get a position fix using NDB's ( which it later turns out did not work) and VOR's, the inevitable had already happened. After only 3 or 4 minutes of trying to work out where we were, a sight that will forever live with me appeared out the front window, Heathrow Control tower. At this point I immediately took control, yanked the plane into a 90 degree turn away form it and proceeded with haste away from the airport. Mr A however was convinced that what we had just flown towards was infact Farnborough, some 20 odd miles further south of Heathrow. We eventually landed at White Waltham after what had turned out to be about 10 minutes worth of delayed departures and landings at Heathrow and a telephone call awaiting us from Heathrow.
Naturally I was devastated by what had happened and was effectively 'grounded' for a week. On consultation with my CFI we arranged to do 2 trips, at my own expense, around the Heathrow Class A and into White Waltham aerodrome so I could prove, mainly to myself, that I was not a liability and that I could fly professionally and safely.
A couple of months later, 2 days before Christmas infact, I was interviewed under caution by the CAA, and during the interview confessed all and took full responsibility as the Captain of the aircraft. A further two months passed before I was summoned to a crown court and fined £500. This was a minor blessing as the maximum penalty was £2500. Mr A received no further contact from the CAA and continues to fly, at a different flying club, with no repercussions to deal with.
What happened to me that day will haunt me till the day I die and my advice to you all is simple. If you sign an aircraft out as the Captain, then for
sake be a Captain, no matter what your flying, who your flying with or where your flying to. A momentary lapse in concentration can have disastrous consequences.
Safe aviating all.