A Walt in court...
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There's certainly an age limit on AEF pilots now. The introduction of the new Cadet Forces Commission this year, while it makes practically no difference to most of us (apart from new rank tabs, lettering regiment/RAFP style instead of pins) might pave the way to more flexibility on age based on medical fitness. That's not been done yet but legally I believe it could be easier now.
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I have "walted" in growbags for almost every rank including Air Rank, Gp Capt, Wg Cdr and Fl Lt, while flying gliders in the RAFGSA.
I always felt very self conscious even though they were loaned to me while winch driving, retrieving, bus driving and flying. They usually honked to high heaven and had the weight of a suit of armour.
Being 19 or 20 at the time there was no way I could carry anything off so no deception here. Personally, I believe that these people feel the need to overcome a massive inferiority complex and are prepared to deceive to achieve it.
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I always felt very self conscious even though they were loaned to me while winch driving, retrieving, bus driving and flying. They usually honked to high heaven and had the weight of a suit of armour.
Being 19 or 20 at the time there was no way I could carry anything off so no deception here. Personally, I believe that these people feel the need to overcome a massive inferiority complex and are prepared to deceive to achieve it.
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Thread creep, sorry
What medical fitness!?!? As long as you are breathing, they keep you on. I know of uniformed staff with walking sticks, can't stand too long on parade......
might pave the way to more flexibility on age based on medical fitness
When I was in Grammar School during the 50's one of my class mates had a brother who was apparently a pilot in the RAF. I remember this guy because, on my first day at the school, he was balled out in front of the whole school for forging his report. As the years went by we heard how he was flying Sabres in Germany and I once saw him in full uniform riding a bike through the town. At the time I thought that was a bit unusual.
It must have been two years after I left school that I saw a double page spread in the Telegraph describing his court appearance charged with impersonating an officer of the RAF. Apparently he had gone into the RAF for national service and was accepted for pilot training. When he was chopped he put off telling his father who was a retired Wing Commander and started to lie about his life as a pilot. He bought a second hand uniform but was too stupid to remove the medals,one of which was a Croix de Guerre. When asked how such a young airman could have this award he claimed that he received it in the Suez crisis. Apparently it was this which led to his exposure as a Walt.
What I have never understood, having proudly followed my son through military pilot training, is how he kept his ex RAF father away from things like Wings award ceremonies and passing out parades.
It must have been two years after I left school that I saw a double page spread in the Telegraph describing his court appearance charged with impersonating an officer of the RAF. Apparently he had gone into the RAF for national service and was accepted for pilot training. When he was chopped he put off telling his father who was a retired Wing Commander and started to lie about his life as a pilot. He bought a second hand uniform but was too stupid to remove the medals,one of which was a Croix de Guerre. When asked how such a young airman could have this award he claimed that he received it in the Suez crisis. Apparently it was this which led to his exposure as a Walt.
What I have never understood, having proudly followed my son through military pilot training, is how he kept his ex RAF father away from things like Wings award ceremonies and passing out parades.
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I remember a few years ago a police air suport unit got fooled into beliving a chap was a CPL(H) in fact the pilot was in fact a PPL(H).
The PAS unit manager and chief pilot who were good guys interviewed him and he passed the flight assesment te in the EC135, and offered a job, only to discover that he had forged the CPL(H). I will not comment on the manufature of forged licences here, but it was quite impressive someone not military trained or with commercial experience could pass the flight test.
It got in to local media, but then the police and the CPS quietly dropped the case, as I think it was highly embaressing for the police.
But isn't it odd I can check a doctor, radiographer, social worker, solicitor, online, but not a pilot. Likewise a care hire company can check your licence online (with your consent) from anywhere in the world.
When I examined PPLs who hadn't met me before, I would often ask at the end of the flight test why as PIC U/S why they hadn't asked to check my licence, medical and examiner authorisation, as it is a check list item. I should also say when I have hired aircraft from flying schools I have rarely been asked for my licence, but in part because I was a familiar face at airfields.
I think there is alot of complacency about licences and the CAA could make it easier for instructors to check licences, not least post 911 to give the instructor peace of mind.
The PAS unit manager and chief pilot who were good guys interviewed him and he passed the flight assesment te in the EC135, and offered a job, only to discover that he had forged the CPL(H). I will not comment on the manufature of forged licences here, but it was quite impressive someone not military trained or with commercial experience could pass the flight test.
It got in to local media, but then the police and the CPS quietly dropped the case, as I think it was highly embaressing for the police.
But isn't it odd I can check a doctor, radiographer, social worker, solicitor, online, but not a pilot. Likewise a care hire company can check your licence online (with your consent) from anywhere in the world.
When I examined PPLs who hadn't met me before, I would often ask at the end of the flight test why as PIC U/S why they hadn't asked to check my licence, medical and examiner authorisation, as it is a check list item. I should also say when I have hired aircraft from flying schools I have rarely been asked for my licence, but in part because I was a familiar face at airfields.
I think there is alot of complacency about licences and the CAA could make it easier for instructors to check licences, not least post 911 to give the instructor peace of mind.
Google 'fake pilot's licence' - there is more of it about than you might beleive. Makes me wonder about the ones who haven't been caught.
Reading Tierney's CV I do love the fact he puts his 'A2 QFGI" claim along with the manual handling course he did at the council!
Reading Tierney's CV I do love the fact he puts his 'A2 QFGI" claim along with the manual handling course he did at the council!
Last edited by Davef68; 7th Mar 2017 at 14:38.
(I'm not suggesting that the student/PICUS shouldn't do this; it is clearly good practice. I ask simply because I'm not aware of a prompt that most people would have immediately available to them, and wonder if I am missing something).
I've even heard of an Air Traffic Controller who had 2 licenses in different names. He came unstuck when going for a job at one particular airfield, claiming he had worked at Farnborough. None of us had heard of him when the other airfield phoned to check, so ATSD were informed.
Last edited by chevvron; 7th Mar 2017 at 21:14.
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leading to the loss of many very experienced AEF pilots when some idiot changed the rules
Had two club members with a ppl persuade that crook recruiting for Colonel Cullen's lot in Angola that they were qualified to fly choppers as well....both luckily got out alive although one was in the line up where Cullen executed some of his own.
One returned through Brussels with a semi automatic pistol in his camera case as he was going to execute the recruiter (King?) and got pulled by Heathrow customs. Got away without a custodial sentence.
In a similar vein had an instructor who said he was RAF...actually assistant controller at Ipswich...went onto great things in the CAA including prosecution of Glen Stewart...hounded a mate on Concorde who caught him out when he boasted that he was on spits...
One returned through Brussels with a semi automatic pistol in his camera case as he was going to execute the recruiter (King?) and got pulled by Heathrow customs. Got away without a custodial sentence.
In a similar vein had an instructor who said he was RAF...actually assistant controller at Ipswich...went onto great things in the CAA including prosecution of Glen Stewart...hounded a mate on Concorde who caught him out when he boasted that he was on spits...
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And my fellow controller from RAF Wyton.
Cheating pilot?s new career is flying high | UK | News | Express.co.uk
Cheating pilot?s new career is flying high | UK | News | Express.co.uk
While not condoning in any way Tierney's flying without a licence (and therefore insurance I guess) and his Walting, I have seen nothing to indicate he ever damaged an aircraft, or was caught infringing airspace or annoying air traffic. Maybe this flying lark isn't as difficult as some people think? 
Seem to remember a thread some while back that gave the impression quite a few pilots flew in Alaska without the "formality" of a license.
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A real con artist...
I had the pleasure (!!!) of working with Wesley, and had absolutely no idea that he was a complete con artist. Not only has he been charged with flying without a licence, he is also under investigation for theft from multiple organisations.
My PPL lapsed a year or so ago, and when I was talking to Wes about flying, he offered to sign me off...so glad I didn't accept!
He also leant me his lovely Irving flying jacket for an open air flight I had last year...no doubt that's stolen too.
He played to the court (and represented himself), and deserves so much worse than community service and a fine. It'll catch up with him, no doubt.
My PPL lapsed a year or so ago, and when I was talking to Wes about flying, he offered to sign me off...so glad I didn't accept!
He also leant me his lovely Irving flying jacket for an open air flight I had last year...no doubt that's stolen too.
He played to the court (and represented himself), and deserves so much worse than community service and a fine. It'll catch up with him, no doubt.
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STATEMENT - BBMF AND WESLEY TIERNEY
Some of you may have read and seen images in FB and media recently of a gliding instructor, Mr Wesley Tierney, charged with illegal flying activities. Mr Tierney was associated with BBMF some 4 years ago, but in the non-operational capacity of Public Relations Volunteer - a duty related to ground representation at air displays. Mr Tierney was removed from these duties after the season was concluded and has enjoyed no other relationship with the BBMF since.
Some of you may have read and seen images in FB and media recently of a gliding instructor, Mr Wesley Tierney, charged with illegal flying activities. Mr Tierney was associated with BBMF some 4 years ago, but in the non-operational capacity of Public Relations Volunteer - a duty related to ground representation at air displays. Mr Tierney was removed from these duties after the season was concluded and has enjoyed no other relationship with the BBMF since.
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For those that haven't seen the second page of his claims to fame. Posting here for people to understand a little more of the wild claims that were being made that he had now admitted were false.
I hate to think how many more individuals were taken in by him, hopefully never more.
FB
I hate to think how many more individuals were taken in by him, hopefully never more.
FB
Wouldn't You Have Liked To Be There?!
Clearly a serious matter and I can't add to anything above really.
However, I have to say I would have loved to have been in that courtroom as he defended himself. Now that, would have been entertaining!
TN.
However, I have to say I would have loved to have been in that courtroom as he defended himself. Now that, would have been entertaining!
TN.
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Sadly, the infamous Jim Shortt* of AARSE fame never went to court.
* Apologies, that's James, Baron Castleshortt, [insert numerous bogus post-nominals]
* Apologies, that's James, Baron Castleshortt, [insert numerous bogus post-nominals]