Irish jet impounded in Belgium carrying drugs
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ok guys, am not gonna say much here and i dont post that much unless i feel something needs to be said. i personally know very well that these guys are completely innocent, the reason is is that i know them well and highly respect both of them (as do all the people that know them), they were just caught up in a crap situation that could very easily have been any of us that have done coorporate flying.dont wanna say more as it s all going through legal process, So if you can thrust me on what i ve just said how about instead of trying to make them out to be drug smugglers and further aid in destroying their careers, why dont we get behind them and give them just a little support, just try to imagine that its you thats been locked up and what would go through your head, career, family, kids, all the hard work and money you ve put into this game simply cause you wanted to fly, knowing that all you ve done is your job. so how about some messages of support so that when they finally get home and all this nonsense is over, they can at least read this forum and see that people are behind them for just doing their job.
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I totally agree, however in order for situations like this being avoided, we all need to make sure that our industry is not used as the donkey for drug smugglers.
It's OK to blame everyone else, but it doesn't actually solve the problem. To the outside world, it just gives the impression that corperate charter travel is badly regulated, with a lack of control. Hardly good PR.
Prevention is better than cure.
I still think that the police would be remiss if the pressumed that the aircrew were innocent (or guilty). As I said before, the due legal process should prove either way. What they need is a decent lawyer, who will not only prove their innocence, but also claim compensation for them.
If they are innocent, then I feel for them, it is a sh$tty situation to be in, but it is an occupational hazard because everything is too loose at the moment.
It's OK to blame everyone else, but it doesn't actually solve the problem. To the outside world, it just gives the impression that corperate charter travel is badly regulated, with a lack of control. Hardly good PR.
Prevention is better than cure.
I still think that the police would be remiss if the pressumed that the aircrew were innocent (or guilty). As I said before, the due legal process should prove either way. What they need is a decent lawyer, who will not only prove their innocence, but also claim compensation for them.
If they are innocent, then I feel for them, it is a sh$tty situation to be in, but it is an occupational hazard because everything is too loose at the moment.
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I know one of the pilots concerned. I knew damm well he wasn't involved. I can't wait to hear his story unless he's too traumatised. Must have been a scary couple of weeks.
What I find scary is that it could so easily have been me.
What I find scary is that it could so easily have been me.
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Irish Biz Jet impounded in Belgium
I read in last weeks newspaper that both pilots of Mansfields jet were charged before the Belgian courts in relation to the 10 million drug seizure and were bailed at 150,000 each. Some punter from Ireland arrived with 300,000 to bail them out !!
One of the pilots was apparantly charged in 1999 in UK with importing a 40ft truck of drugs and got off after two court trials !!! Didn't know drugs were in truck,,,unlucky once...but what about unlucky twice !!!
There are rumours also about the Chef Simon in Weston having served time in Germany...it get better
One of the pilots was apparantly charged in 1999 in UK with importing a 40ft truck of drugs and got off after two court trials !!! Didn't know drugs were in truck,,,unlucky once...but what about unlucky twice !!!
There are rumours also about the Chef Simon in Weston having served time in Germany...it get better
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weneedpilots
WTF?????
Hmmm, I protest to much do I? Why on earth should I protest about a bunch of rumour mongers who cast blanket dispersion on my profession without substantiating any of it? I agree that this sort of thing needs to be stamped out but your methods will drag the profession down and not necessarily deliver the outcome you want.
Cessna PPL172:
Are you a slow learner or something?
or maybe he should close his eyes and pretent it doesn't happen ?
Hmmm, I protest to much do I? Why on earth should I protest about a bunch of rumour mongers who cast blanket dispersion on my profession without substantiating any of it? I agree that this sort of thing needs to be stamped out but your methods will drag the profession down and not necessarily deliver the outcome you want.
Cessna PPL172:
“I read in last weeks newspaper”
“One of the pilots was apparantly charged”
“There are rumours also about the Chef Simon”
“One of the pilots was apparantly charged”
“There are rumours also about the Chef Simon”
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The latest news!
For those of you wondering whats happened to the plane!
Millonaire businessman Jim Mansfield is to get his private jet back, a Belgian judge has decided.
It follows the decision of a court in Ghent to release the private jet's two pilots on bail of €150,000 each.
The two pilots were released without publicity when a local appeal court judge said he was satisfied they had no knowledge of the €10m worth of heroin being transported by the courier they flew from Dublin to Belgium.
Both men - described by Mansfield as "the soundest fellas" - have worked as Mansfield's personal pilots for more than 10 years, and he has protested their innocence since their arrests.
If they fail to appear if and when a trial goes ahead they will forfeit the money.
They were released without publicity on October 10 and both are now back in Ireland.
The jet, worth millions, has been in the custody of the Belgian authorities until now.
Their passenger, a British national from the Leeds-Bradford area who was arrested with 49kg of heroin, is still in custody, as is an Irishman in Dublin and a Scotsman in the Netherlands.
John Kinsella, from Meath, is in custody in Dublin awaiting trial for conspiracy to import controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
A judge said he was satisfied that Kinsella, who has bank accounts and property abroad, would be a flight risk if granted bail.
Mansfield had no knowledge of drug smuggling operation
Prosecuting authorities in Kortrijk decided yesterday that they were satisfied that Mansfield - who owns Weston airfield, the airport from where the two pilots flew out, and who is reported to be personally worth some €400 million - had no knowledge of and nothing to do with the drug smuggling operation.
The plane is a Cessna Citation VI jet and is Mansfield's personal jet.
He was unaware that it had been leased out without his permission.
Gardai say the route from Belgium to Weston - which has a nominal Customs and Excise presence - has almost certainly been used before by others.
Prosecutor Tom Jannssens said they expect the pilots to attend the eventual trial. "But if this happens before Christmas we will be lucky, it will take some time," he said.
It follows the decision of a court in Ghent to release the private jet's two pilots on bail of €150,000 each.
The two pilots were released without publicity when a local appeal court judge said he was satisfied they had no knowledge of the €10m worth of heroin being transported by the courier they flew from Dublin to Belgium.
Both men - described by Mansfield as "the soundest fellas" - have worked as Mansfield's personal pilots for more than 10 years, and he has protested their innocence since their arrests.
If they fail to appear if and when a trial goes ahead they will forfeit the money.
They were released without publicity on October 10 and both are now back in Ireland.
The jet, worth millions, has been in the custody of the Belgian authorities until now.
Their passenger, a British national from the Leeds-Bradford area who was arrested with 49kg of heroin, is still in custody, as is an Irishman in Dublin and a Scotsman in the Netherlands.
John Kinsella, from Meath, is in custody in Dublin awaiting trial for conspiracy to import controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
A judge said he was satisfied that Kinsella, who has bank accounts and property abroad, would be a flight risk if granted bail.
Mansfield had no knowledge of drug smuggling operation
Prosecuting authorities in Kortrijk decided yesterday that they were satisfied that Mansfield - who owns Weston airfield, the airport from where the two pilots flew out, and who is reported to be personally worth some €400 million - had no knowledge of and nothing to do with the drug smuggling operation.
The plane is a Cessna Citation VI jet and is Mansfield's personal jet.
He was unaware that it had been leased out without his permission.
Gardai say the route from Belgium to Weston - which has a nominal Customs and Excise presence - has almost certainly been used before by others.
Prosecutor Tom Jannssens said they expect the pilots to attend the eventual trial. "But if this happens before Christmas we will be lucky, it will take some time," he said.
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Stop and listen to yourselves, guys. Chips is right, give the guys support and stop undermining your own industry.
WeNeedPilots:
The premise is innocent 'til proven guilty, not the other way around. You do realise that whatever you put out in this world is what you will get back so I'd be careful if I were you. If you are aware of misdemeanors in the GA world then let the authorities know. If not, stop bitching. Operations like this are the result of much intelligence work by the police and the capture of individuals by customs at any port of entry is the result of that work, not the chance discovery by a vigilant customs officer.
Cesna 172Pilot:
Read first, absorb the information and then open your mouth. That way you won't get both feet in at the same time.
I don't know the guys involved but I wish them all the best. It's hard enough proving your own innocence in an increasingly suspicious world without having your "colleagues" tarnish your reputation.
Be safe out there
HW
WeNeedPilots:
The premise is innocent 'til proven guilty, not the other way around. You do realise that whatever you put out in this world is what you will get back so I'd be careful if I were you. If you are aware of misdemeanors in the GA world then let the authorities know. If not, stop bitching. Operations like this are the result of much intelligence work by the police and the capture of individuals by customs at any port of entry is the result of that work, not the chance discovery by a vigilant customs officer.
Cesna 172Pilot:
Read first, absorb the information and then open your mouth. That way you won't get both feet in at the same time.
I don't know the guys involved but I wish them all the best. It's hard enough proving your own innocence in an increasingly suspicious world without having your "colleagues" tarnish your reputation.
Be safe out there
HW
