British pilot arrested over people smuggling Calais [Archive]

Mike Flynn

18th Jul 2017, 17:04

This appears to becoming a new trend.
http://www.cetusnews.com/news/Four-Albanian-migrants-are-caught-trying-to-FLY-to-Britain-from-Calais.r1WSZhFusoB-.html

Four Albanian migrants are caught trying to FLY into Britain on a light aircraft from Calais in what is believed to be the first case of its kind

The four, including two women and a child, were arrested along with the British pilot and two suspected British people smugglers as the plane prepared to take off near the northern port of Calais.
Four Albanian migrants tried to fly from France to Britain in a light aircraft, in what is believed to be a first, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The four, including two women and a child, were arrested along with the British pilot and two suspected British people smugglers as the plane prepared to take off from an airfield in Marck, near the northern port of Calais.

Calais is a springboard for migrants attempting to cross the Channel to Britain, normally by stowing away on trucks that board ferries.

Prosecutors said they had no record of a previous attempt to reach Britain in a private aircraft.

'It is the first time that the Boulogne prosecutor's office has been called in to investigate an attempt to smuggle migrants by air,' the prosecutors' office in Boulogne, near Calais, said.

The plane was still on the ground and the pilot was at the controls although the migrants had not boarded when the arrests took place.

The pilot and the people smugglers remain in custody and could face charges of 'helping undocumented foreigners as part of an organised group'.

'We do not yet have a full profile of the pilot. Investigators are waiting for British authorities to send information,' the prosecutor's office added.

Another British light aircraft was intercepted just a couple of weeks trying to smuggle 11 Albanians in to the UK.
Dutch police officers and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee have prevented the smuggling of 11 Albanian adults and 3 young children between Belgium and England. According to a police statement its the first time in the Netherlands that an aircraft is used in an attempt to smuggle people.

Earlier that day an observation team at Teuge Airport witnessed how the two English pilots prepared the aircraft, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain registered G-OETV for a flight through Belgium (the Belgian airport has not been disclosed) and presumably England as destination. Both English pilots were arrested at Teuge Airport. http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/596809-2-uk-pilots-detained-smuggling-14-albanian-people.html

westernhero

18th Jul 2017, 17:17

Time to reopen Biggin Hill and Marston to our dashing young men in their flying machines ? Do you think a Spitfire squadron would be the most suitable response ? The Battle of Britain remake anyone ?

Jan Olieslagers

18th Jul 2017, 17:26

Meaning Manston, perhaps?

alex90

18th Jul 2017, 18:45

Pretty sure Biggin Hill is still open....!
But sure - why not get loads of spitfires in the air, and video them! :-)

treadigraph

18th Jul 2017, 19:24

Plenty of Spitfires (and a Hurri & Me109) based at Biggin already...

Jan Olieslagers

18th Jul 2017, 19:38

To get back to the root of the matter: striking that in both cases, the clients were from the same Albanian background - smells like one "offerer" or "facilitator" mediating in one environment.

patowalker

18th Jul 2017, 20:02

I wonder why they want to come to the UK, instead of staying in enlightened countries like Belgium, the Netherlands or France? :-)

Mike Flynn

18th Jul 2017, 20:25

Picture here of the aircraft alleged to be involved.
http://lvdnena.rosselcdn.net/sites/default/files/dpistyles_v2/ena_16_9_extra_big/2017/07/17/node_193429/29870313/public/2017/07/17/B9712640284Z.1_20170717213805_000%2BGRV9F67I6.1-0.jpg?itok=45oPFGu6
source http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/193429/article/2017-07-18/un-pilote-d-avion-interpelle-l-aeroport-avec-des-migrants-bord-une-premiere

Given the story below it appears they were getting a lot in to an old (1979) four seat 172?
Four Albanian migrants are caught trying to FLY into Britain on a light aircraft from Calais in what is believed to be the first case of its kind

The four, including two women and a child, were arrested along with the British pilot and two suspected British people smugglers as the plane prepared to take off near the northern port of Calais.

The aircraft is based at Gamston according to this.http://www.laasdata.com/fra/fra-by-country.php?c=n

piperboy84

18th Jul 2017, 21:01

Why are they faffing about with an old Cessna probably destined for some rural grass strip? Why don't the Albanians just pitch up at Heathrow on a scheduled flight and hand their list of expectations regarding entitlements, benefits and housing etc to the first official they find. If they timed it right they could score themselves the TGIF meal drink combo special in the terminal while they await their paperwork being approved, transport organized and government cheque being cut. Weren't they aware of the bonanza that awaits? We as a country are letting them down, we need to do a far better job of outreach overseas to enlighten potential economic migrants on just how well versed we are at dishing out goodies.

Mike Flynn

18th Jul 2017, 21:11

Pre boarding checks mean the 99% will never get past the gate Piperboy.

There must of been some sort of watch by authorities in this latest incident.

piperboy84

18th Jul 2017, 23:29

Pre boarding checks mean the 99% will never get past the gate Piperboy.

There must of been some sort of watch by authorities in this latest incident.

"Pre boarding checks" How does that work? I know the Americans use that system but hypothetically if an Albanian or any other person from a non European country was determined on coming to the UK as an economic immigrant and got themselves to Spain for example then bought a Ryanair ticket to the UK, who prior to them getting airborne is going to prevent them boarding if they have a valid passport issued by their country of origin? If nobody stops them, then isn't it a simple matter of upon arrival claiming they're in fear for their life from the government of whatever banana republic they came from in order to remain in the U.K. (and not detained) until their status can be looked at.

Martin_123

19th Jul 2017, 10:50

"Pre boarding checks" How does that work? I know the Americans use that system but hypothetically if an Albanian or any other person from a non European country was determined on coming to the UK as an economic immigrant and got themselves to Spain for example then bought a Ryanair ticket to the UK, who prior to them getting airborne is going to prevent them boarding if they have a valid passport issued by their country of origin? If nobody stops them, then isn't it a simple matter of upon arrival claiming they're in fear for their life from the government of whatever banana republic they came from in order to remain in the U.K. (and not detained) until their status can be looked at.

if they had a valid passport + valid visa, there was no reason for them being arrested in the first place. To avoid deportation many of them seem to lose their IDs, in this case boarding without a valid ID wouldn't be possible.

as for the spitfires and what other nonsense mentioned previously, I suggest to tone down the arrogance.. when you're done building your brexit wall, don't forget to take back your own citizens, many of whom live in exotic places illegally!

Gertrude the Wombat

19th Jul 2017, 11:14

hypothetically if an Albanian or any other person from a non European country was determined on coming to the UK as an economic immigrant and got themselves to Spain for example then bought a Ryanair ticket to the UK, who prior to them getting airborne is going to prevent them boarding if they have a valid passport issued by their country of origin?
Ryanair. On account of if the punter is not allowed into the UK then Ryanair gets to pay a large fine, which they have a clear interest in not doing.

Reverserbucket

19th Jul 2017, 11:22

To avoid deportation many of them seem to lose their IDs
I recall cases of individuals eating their passports en-route to LHR ex-EU departure points during the 90's (CDG and BRU spring to mind); claiming asylum on arrival with no travel document for repatriation in any event.

John R81

19th Jul 2017, 11:43

I recall cases of individuals eating their passports en-route to LHR ex-EU departure points during the 90's (CDG and BRU spring to mind); claiming asylum on arrival with no travel document for repatriation in any event.

Going to make things a little more bureaucratic for those day trips to Le Touquet :sad:

Mike Flynn

19th Jul 2017, 13:28

The tabloids have an appetite for this sort of story.
Open Door Britain: SUE REID exposes how Britain's many small airfields are vulnerable to terrorists and illegal immigrants despite claims that our border controls are being tightened
A Daily Mail investigation found it is possible to fly from Calais to Kent without having a passport inspected
The trip from the airstrip in Calais to Lydd Airport in Kent takes just 18 minutes onboard a private plane
Security and identity checks seemed incredibly lax following the short hop across the English Channel
The Government has been warned thousands of boats and planes are landing in the UK without inspection

Read more: SUE REID exposes how Britain's many small airfields are vulnerable to terrorists | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4118746/Open-Door-Britain-SUE-REID-exposes-Britain-s-small-airfields-vulnerable-terrorists-illegal-immigrants.html#ixzz4nHeQWiyC)
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Albanians also featured in this court case earlier in the year.

People smuggler jailed after Border Force chased his plane down a runway at a private members' airfield in Norfolk (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/01/09/people-smuggler-jailed-border-force-chased-plane-runway/)

3wheels

19th Jul 2017, 14:45

The aircraft is based at Gamston according to this.LAAS Foreign Registered Aircraft in the UK, overseas aircraft British Isles (http://www.laasdata.com/fra/fra-by-country.php?c=n)

Mmmm....it went from North Weald to France and back a few weeks ago...anyone seen the pilots name published?

funfly

19th Jul 2017, 15:30

Curlytips

19th Jul 2017, 15:31

And what's wrong with an old Cessna anyway?;)

Shaggy Sheep Driver

19th Jul 2017, 15:49

And what's wrong with an old Cessna anyway?;)

Single engine over water. :=

DownWest

19th Jul 2017, 17:49

Single engine over water. :=

Oh, come on Shaggy, lots of people do, even on round the world flights...
I spose you could could criticise him for carrying fare paying passengers with a single engine:), but a twin would have cut into the profit......

Steve6443

19th Jul 2017, 19:30

Single engine over water. :=

Ok, let's work it out.

Shortest distance from Mainland France to the closest point on Mainland Britain is 19.5 Nautical Miles. For my crossing I have selected FL65 as my altitude. For arguments sake, my glide ratio is 10:1; that means from FL65 to MSL I can glide 10.7 nm.

At no point am I far enough away from land to not have to ditch. As an alternative scenario, let's assume I'm flying through the alps with fog in the valleys below but because I've taken off in VMC and my destination is VMC, no one complains.

Both scenarios are legal but which one concerns you most? I would be more worried about the second one because if your engine fails there, you don't have a clue what's beneath you....

Jan Olieslagers

19th Jul 2017, 20:35

Curlytips

19th Jul 2017, 21:32

If its behind me, continue, or if headwind, turn downwind (carefully) (if not exactly downwind make heading to make reciprocal track of shortest distance) and get blown to shore more quickly.....

3wheels

20th Jul 2017, 04:38

What's all this to do with British pilot arrested for allegedly people smuggling?
Anyone any more news on what happening?

LowNSlow

21st Jul 2017, 07:05

md 600 driver

21st Jul 2017, 07:14

Ryanair. On account of if the punter is not allowed into the UK then Ryanair gets to pay a large fine, which they have a clear interest in not doing.

But they also check you have a visa to entry the country if traveling on a non European passport

Mike Flynn

21st Jul 2017, 07:25

The days of turning up for a flight with just a ticket are long gone.

I take it the aircraft in the latest episode is privately owned?

Including this incident two out of the three aircraft involved in recent Albanian people smuggling incidents have been US registered.

This is the 172 caught at Seething,Norfolk.
http://www.becclesandbungayjournal.co.uk/polopoly_fs/1.4841853!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_630/image.jpg
A JUDGE has warned that Britain's small airfield are "defenceless" against people smugglers as he jailed a pilot for attempting to bring an illegal immigrant family into the UK.
Story http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/752533/Britain-small-airfields-defenceless-migrant-smugglers-Judge-Stephen-Holt

The Breighton drug smuggling Cessna was also N reg.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/EF5D/production/_88177216_hi031351786.jpg

John R81

21st Jul 2017, 18:13

OK: So back on post 15 I surmised that the "day trip" to Le Touquet was going to get more bureaucratic.

Today, 6x helicopters (all single engine - gasp! horror!) and 16 people Redhill - Le Touquet. French Border post manned and checking passports (first time I have seen this, first trip 7 years ago). Return to Redhill, and met by UK Border Agency to check all passports. Never seen that before.

Seems like the political heat is driving activity.

Anyway, job finished and one of the Border Control chaps took an interest in the machines. Someone gave him a tour of the G2 cockpit, and perhaps we might have another budding aviator! So- not wasted then!

ifonly

21st Jul 2017, 18:16

In French

https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1063515/france-prison-pour-2-britanniques-qui-passaient-des-migrants-par-avion-en-angleterre.html

Mike Flynn

21st Jul 2017, 18:41

This story now in the Telegraph.

A British architect and a carpenter have been jailed in France for attempting to smuggle migrants from Calais into the UK on board a four-seater Cessna plane.
David Green, 53, an architect from Essex, and carpenter Edward Buckley, 45, from Hertford, were both jailed for 30 months by a court in Boulogne-sur-Mer, court officials told the Telegraph.
The pair were part of a smuggling network and had on five occasions since April flown between two and four migrants to the UK from airfields near Calais and Le Touquet, with each passenger paying £10,000 for the trip, the court heard.
“They were attracted by the lure of profit,” a prosecutor told the court. “It is inadmissible to benefit from people’s misery by demanding such high sums.”
But Buckley’s lawyer responded that his client had not exploited anyone’s misery, as “the Albanians who opt for flying (to sneak into the UK) have money.”

When the two Britons have served the prison term they will be banned from entering French territory for five years, said prosecutor Philippe Sabatier, adding that the plane and a car used in the botched smuggling attempt had been confiscated.

Green, who was to pilot the single-engine Cessna 172 Skyhawk, and Buckley were arrested on Monday along with Buckley’s British wife - who was later released without charge - as the plane was preparing to take off from Marck airfield near Calais with four Albanian migrants on board.

The arrests came after French police were tipped off by British authorities, the court heard.
“This is the first time that we have come across attempted people-smuggling by plane” in the Calais region, prosecutor Sabatier said earlier this week.

Nice bit of fast track justice that would have taken a year in the UK.

£10,000 per passenger....that 172 has earned its keep.

Anyone know the pilot?

3wheels

21st Jul 2017, 21:51

piperboy84

22nd Jul 2017, 06:28

"Anyone know the pilot"

Yes, now that it is in the public domain, David Green is very well known to you all.

He is the infamous Jetblu who posts here....

A long and chequered history in aviation circles.

"Our" JetBlu? Are you sure? I thought the JetBlu that posts on here was severely injured in a fire aboard his twin a few years back and was no longer able to fly.

Edit to add: 4 Albanians PLUS the pilot in a 172? That's some crazy stuff right there.

Mike Flynn

22nd Jul 2017, 07:43

The pilot was well known at North Weald I understand.

I wonder if that is where the tip off came from?

Jan Olieslagers

22nd Jul 2017, 08:17

4 Albanians PLUS the pilot in a 172? That's some crazy stuff right there.

Perhaps, perhaps not. The four includes 2 females plus a child, these weigh less than average. Also, Balkan people are rarely obese, rather the contrary. Far be it from me to defend that pilot or his action, but it is not impossible the weight and balance had been properly done.

Steve6443

22nd Jul 2017, 08:25

Steve6443 even if the engine quits half way across you will still reach the beach based on a glide range of 10.7nm as 10.7nm is more than half of 19.5nm! The landing might not be pretty but you'll reach land.

:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

which was exactly my point to Shaggy Sheep Driver when he was pointing out that SEP over water = :=

Steve6443

22nd Jul 2017, 08:34

It's not because the second scenario is more foolish that the first is wise. I was taught to always have an acceptable plan B - but we all have the freedom to define our own "acceptable".

BTW what will wind do to your plan B if the engine quits in mid-channel?

So your acceptable plan B is not cross open waters with an SEP in case the engine fails, even if you can easily glide clear? By the same reasoning, you would never move beyond the 'slow' lane of the motorway just in case the engine or gearbox in your car suddenly seized and left you stranded far away from the hard shoulder..... Acceptable? Or just risk averse?

What's all this to do with British pilot arrested for allegedly people smuggling?
Anyone any more news on what happening?

It's because certain people believe that SEP over the Channel is a No No.

Fortunately the pilot and his accomplice have had a taste of French justice and are now being detained for the next 30 months. At the same time, a Cessna 172N might be put up for auction soon ;)

PS: how come the French can ban criminals from entering France for a period of (in this instance) 5 years, but in UK the foreign criminals seem to use RuinAir and SleazyJet as a personal shuttle service, in and out of the country??? No 'freedom of Movement' demands from Brussels, I note......

Jan Olieslagers

22nd Jul 2017, 08:59

So your acceptable plan B is not cross open waters with an SEP in case the engine fails, even if you can easily glide clear?

Negative. But, limited to 6500' AMSL, I am not sure I can "easily" glide to land from mid-channel in my not very streamlined ultralight.

And no, I am not totally risk averse (or I'd go fishing instead of flying) but I've plenty of potential destinations on my wish list, making sea crossings a very low priority.

tescoapp

22nd Jul 2017, 09:14

Funny enough I was just reading how fishing is quite high risk.

Loads of deaths in the Uk doing it. Although there is a large number of people doing it.

3wheels

22nd Jul 2017, 09:24

"Our" JetBlu? Are you sure? I thought the JetBlu that posts on here was severely injured in a fire aboard his twin a few years back and was no longer able to fly.

The very same....medical reinstated

mutt

22nd Jul 2017, 10:50

So he survived a crash and fire in his twin and then goes on to do this? Interesting lifestyle.

2.5 years in jail and banned from France for 5 years, talk about fast justice.

pulse1

22nd Jul 2017, 10:56

I suppose that his old adversary, Golden Eagle, is probably out by now after his 21 month sentence for fraud. Otherwise they might have met up to chat about their old friend Robert Weaver.

Mike Flynn

22nd Jul 2017, 11:11

Is this Mr Green?
https://i.imgur.com/2Ieh8KH.jpg

Tagron

22nd Jul 2017, 13:09

The fire which caused serious injury to David Green was not the result of a crash. It occurred at about 7 p.m. on a January night. The aircraft was parked at North Weald, an airfield which had no night flying facilities . The story seems to be the fire was caused by the ignition of solvents (or something similar ?)

Jan Olieslagers

22nd Jul 2017, 13:51

@Jay Sata: it seems incorrect to speculate about people's identity. This forum is about flying (private) not about who does. I count on moderators to be quicker than ever.

Mike Flynn

22nd Jul 2017, 14:19

Well there appears to be plenty of speculation regarding his history and background and that picture is out there on the web.

I have not suggested he is a member of this forum.

The fact remains that he has been found guilty in a French court and is serving a 2.5 year sentance. He was obviously not concerned about the consequences when he left the UK a week ago to smuggle four illegal immigrants in to the UK.

If he did not want his name in the UK press and confinement in prison then he could have stuck to the law like the majority of us.

This forum is about private flying but that includes the bad as well as the good.

I don't think people smuggling does anyone any favours and that certainly includes the flying community.

This was not a solo trip.

They organised at least five return flights since April and used Le Touquet airport for similar trips.

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/21/brit-pilot-and-accomplice-jailed-after-trying-to-fly-migrants-into-uk-for-10000-6797855/#ixzz4nZXTkZ2P

piperboy84

22nd Jul 2017, 14:24

@Jay Sata: it seems incorrect to speculate about people's identity. This forum is about flying (private) not about who does. I count on moderators to be quicker than ever.

Correct up until the point someone is convicted of a serious crime (especially flying related ) then any past right or expectation to anonymity on here or anywhere else goes bye bye, as the conviction is a matter of public record.

Mike Flynn

22nd Jul 2017, 14:39

@Jay Sata: it seems incorrect to speculate about people's identity. This forum is about flying (private) not about who does. I count on moderators to be quicker than ever.

Perhaps he should have taken your earlier advice :ok:
I was taught to always have an acceptable plan B - but we all have the freedom to define our own "acceptable".

Saab Dastard

22nd Jul 2017, 18:30

Jan,

Jetblu = Dave Green has been known for at least 5 years, since the North Weald fire.

There is no case to answer here.

SD

3wheels

22nd Jul 2017, 21:59

Am I surprised there is no David Frederick Green (his full name) on the FAA Airmen data base....

https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/Main.aspx

piperboy84

23rd Jul 2017, 02:05

Am I surprised there is no David Frederick Green (his full name) on the FAA Airmen data base....

https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/Main.aspx

Why surprised? if he's based out of North Weald the chances are he's British and would more than likely have a British license and not be listed on a US federal pilot database.

dont overfil

23rd Jul 2017, 09:12

Why surprised? if he's based out of North Weald the chances are he's British and would more than likely have a British license and not be listed on a US federal pilot database.

Surely he would need a UK AND FAA or French licence to fly "N" reg in France.

piperboy84

23rd Jul 2017, 10:45

Surely he would need a UK AND FAA or French licence to fly "N" reg in France.

Well I'm sure licensing will be the least of his worries as he ain't going anywhere anytime soon. More to the point Pete I literally just stepped of that big metal bird in the sky at EDI and spent the last 6 hours dreaming about getting that other "n reg" that's sitting out front your window in the air now it's all buttoned back up and paperwork all correct, however being the cheap bastard I am I didn't spring for the altimeter change out so your gonna have to get yer wee conversion calculator out and give me the field info in inches and not that fruit pastels nonsense. Cya monyana !!

dont overfil

23rd Jul 2017, 11:13

Well I'm sure licensing will be the least of his worries as he ain't going anywhere anytime soon. More to the point Pete I literally just stepped of that big metal bird in the sky at EDI and spent the last 6 hours dreaming about getting that other "n reg" that's sitting out front your window in the air now it's all buttoned back up and paperwork all correct, however being the cheap bastard I am I didn't spring for the altimeter change out so your gonna have to get yer wee conversion calculator out and give me the field info in inches and not that fruit pastels nonsense. Cya monyana !!
The pressure (P) conversion formulas

Hectopascal to inch of mercury (hPa to inHg):
0.02952998751 × PhPa = PinHg
Example:
If hPa = 49 then inHg = 0.02952998751 × 49 = 1.44696938799 inHg

Inch of mercury to hectopascal (inHg to hPa):
33.8638816 × PinHg = PhPa

There you go:ok:

patowalker

23rd Jul 2017, 11:50

Surely he would need a UK AND FAA or French licence to fly "N" reg in France.

No.

https://goo.gl/mzwRds

pilotmike

23rd Jul 2017, 13:58

This alleged smuggling offence is serious, make no mistake about that.

Seemingly, one phone call by way of a 'tip-off' and we instantly have half the UK border control onto an aircraft...

Who could possibly have been so cynical about the authorities clamping down on smuggling by private aircraft???? Jetblu, on 20th November 2014!

S-Works

23rd Jul 2017, 15:35

He should have listened to his own advice.....

MrBernoulli

23rd Jul 2017, 19:14

Who could possibly have been so cynical about the authorities clamping down on smuggling by private aircraft???? Jetblu, on 20th November 2014!
Would this be the same Jetblu who wrote this (http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/579030-tracey-curtis-taylor-merged-threads-25.html#post9472360) on the TCT thread in August last year:The whole TCT saga has been quite fascinating. All it has endorsed for me is that 'fraud, deceit and corruption' is still live and kicking in certain circles, yet described and applauded in a way to insult a normal persons intelligence.
There's a saying.."You can't beat the system"
:D

3wheels

23rd Jul 2017, 22:22

Surely he would need a UK AND FAA or French licence to fly "N" reg in France..

Exactly..... that's why I made the point.

mutt

24th Jul 2017, 00:51

Am I surprised there is no David Frederick Green (his full name) on the FAA Airmen data base....

You do realise that we can ask the FAA to hide our information, you wont find me in a general FAA database search although I hold an FAA ATP, they gave us this option about 10 years ago.
So not finding doesn't mean doesnt exist.

24th Jul 2017, 01:03

Quote:
Originally Posted by dont overfil View Post
Surely he would need a UK AND FAA or French licence to fly "N" reg in France.

No.

https://goo.gl/mzwRds

Im afraid my schoolboy French is not up to translating that technical stuff.

Anyway, I thought that it was now mandatory to have a licence from the state of residency as well as the state of Registry.
Unless I am mistaken, doesnt that mean he would have needed a UK Licence and a FAA licence for flights into, or out of, the UK?

That apart, I trust the UK CAA will revoke, permanently, any CAA or EASA licence he holds on the grounds of no longer being a "fit and proper person". Simultaneously, they should revoke (in his case) the exemption to fly in the UK on a foreign licence.
This to ensure he never flies again,or commits another aviation offence, after being released. There are precedents, but probably not for people trafficking.

I would hope the CAA act as swiftly as the French Authorities did.

It remains to be seen what consequences befall the rest of us as a result of this one mans actions....

M-ONGO

24th Jul 2017, 07:14

That apart, I trust the UK CAA will revoke, permanently, any CAA or EASA licence he holds on the grounds of no longer being a "fit and proper person".

Not necessarily. I am aware of a pilot who was arrested (many moons ago) for drug smuggling in an Auster. His licence was not touched, although he served time for the criminal act.

3wheels

24th Jul 2017, 09:07

You do realise that we can ask the FAA to hide our information, you wont find me in a general FAA database search although I hold an FAA ATP, they gave us this option about 10 years ago.
So not finding doesn't mean doesnt exist.

Thanks mutt, I didn't know that...after I retired!

tescoapp

24th Jul 2017, 09:09

I have never heard of a pilot in the UK having their UK license removed in the last 20 years. People have been stopped flying on medical grounds post court cases. But license revoked no.

The USA it seems to be normal for flying privileges to be removed for a variety of reasons.

Mike Flynn

24th Jul 2017, 09:21

I must say Jetblu has been through a lot.

http://www.pprune.org/biz-jets-ag-flying-ga-etc/557246-robert-weaver-beware-4.html#post9302300

He makes the point in that link that the C421 belonged to a friend and not him.

Another chapter in the Goldeneagle/Weaver saga.
Not sure about this paragraph.
My flying record had been unblemished and incident free for more than 30 years since I started to fly. Unlike you, I have never run out of fuel or 'crashed' any aircraft. In 2009, having refuelled my aircraft to full tanks at Lydd Airport, I had an engine failure over the English Channel minutes later.

Jonzarno

24th Jul 2017, 09:28

I met David Green at Oxford Crown court at the trial of Kevin Crellin aka Golden Eagle Pilot when I was one of the witnesses that helped to put KC away, in part as a result of KC stealing money intended to support DG's wife after his accident.

I know nothing about this case other than what I have read here; but wouldn't wish the disfiguring injuries that David has suffered as a result of the fire at North Weald, some of which I have seen, on anyone. Subsequent to that accident, he also lost his wife who divorced him.

I don't know any details about that nor, as I say, about this case; but I can't help wondering what would make an apparently reputable pilot do something like this. Greed? Desperation? I don't know. Perhaps others on here know more than I do?

25th Jul 2017, 08:04

II can't help wondering what would make an apparently reputable pilot do something like this. Greed? Desperation? I don't know. Perhaps others on here know more than I do?.

Your last sentence hits the nail on the head

legal1965

25th Jul 2017, 08:35

Definitely greed and now consequences for you all.:ugh:

ak7274

25th Jul 2017, 10:36

Definitely greed and now consequences for you all.:ugh:

That is what makes me so bl00dy angry.
"I'm alright Jack, screw the rest of you"

legal1965

25th Jul 2017, 13:19

That is what makes me so bl00dy angry.
"I'm alright Jack, screw the rest of you"

An attitude he has had all his life, I am afraid. In case you are wondering. I found out yesterday and I am ashamed to say we share the same blood. Disgusted doesn't cut it!

S-Works

25th Jul 2017, 16:27

An attitude he has had all his life, I am afraid. In case you are wondering. I found out yesterday and I am ashamed to say we share the same blood. Disgusted doesn't cut it!

Will you be writing to him in French now?:p

legal1965

26th Jul 2017, 12:34

I won't be writing to him at all. We have had no contact for over 2.5 years since he decided that it would be a good idea to try and take me to Court for mismanagement of his affairs during his ... ahem accident. I too was taken in by Golden Eagle Pilot and was glad that he got his just desserts. I was told by his son yesterday (who incidentally is just as disgusted as the rest of our family) that there was talk on Pprune and I just wanted to say I am so very sorry for the implications that this is going to have on all of you going forward. The actions of one greedy, manipulative man is going to impact on all of you and for that you have my sincere apologies. My father who was loved by all in the aviation world (he kept his plane at Stapleford), who is now dead, I am pleased to say does not have to witness the further shenanigans of his son. Unfortunately my mother (previous owner of G0-KAG) does. Flying has been in my family ever since I can remember and it saddens me greatly that what is a pleasurable past-time for most, has now been sullied by a few.

I am not prepared to wash dirty linen in public on here in memory of my father but I just wanted to publicly apologise for all of you pilots whom this is going to have a great impact on now and in the future.

Many years ago I told Jet Blu that he had made money his God and one day it was going to get him into a lot of trouble.:= How true my words have come to pass. Enjoy your flying everyone, albeit now with stricter controls. Sorry.