Sarcs
Given Hempel's past history of indiscretions, makes you wonder why the
regulator didn't go the full hog and cancel all his licences
Has why he was allowed to retain his PPL ever been answered to any degree? Given the regulator's strong statements during the decision to revoke his commercial priviledges, it makes no sense he would legally still be allowed to put anyone in an aircraft he operated, plus risk the lives of others on the ground if his "Private" antics came crashing down.
People have their drivers licenses revoked for careless and reckless operation of a private vehicle on the basis of being a hazard and danger to those around them (other drivers, pax, pedestrians, etc) "Commercial" has nothing to do with it. How can a judge say he was basically that kind of hazard in an aircraft, but allow him to retain a legal means to remain a public hazard by not touching his PPL? Was there some kind of buddy-buddy system at work there?
If he had been completely grounded by having all licenses revoked, wouldn't ANY further operation of an aircraft have come under a criminal act and therefore a bigger deterrent, much easier to monitor, and punish with some teeth? It seems it would have removed the gray area of "adventure flying" he seemed to hide his illegal acts behind, and perhaps one more unsuspecting person would be alive today.