Pre-cons
Speaking as an ex-cop (Kent Force 1972-1986) my advice to you will be to check out exactly what things are exempt from the RofOA.
These are all common sense.
I haven't seen the latest PPL Application form. Does it actually ask you for your precons? Does the question carry a 'RofOA Exempt' endorsement?
My guess is that your convictions are totally and utterly 'spent' under the Act and need not be declared.
Ok, everybody applying for a licence these days will have their CRO file pulled if they have one - and for sound and sensible reasons - no problem with that.
If you are ever asked an official question about your past that the Act does not allow you to answer 'no' in relation to a 'spent' conviction then the question will carry the note, 'The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to this question' or something like that.
Check it out.
The Act was passed for sound reasons. The exemptions are in place for sound reasons too.
An offence of dishonesty 20 years ago will have no effect whatsoever on your application.
I know somebody who had a brain f@rt as a student pilot 25 years ago and buzzed the M2 motorway traffic. He got nicked.
He kept his head down, reapplied for his licence recently - it was granted, no problem.
And that guy is definately still nuts!
HP
He actually got his medical pulled and recently applied for a new one - I had a brain f@rt there!
Focusing on the flying I'm about to go and do with 3 of my lovely girlies (why is it that all 20 of my staff are women??!!)
HP