Saudi Impersonator really a **** of immense proportions
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Saudi Impersonator really a **** of immense proportions
Sunday Star Times, Sun 8/9/03
Trainee pilot racks up huge loan while failing 18 exams
07 September 2003
By RACHEL GRUNWELL
and OSKAR ALLEY
A trainee pilot being prosecuted for sitting flying exams for a Saudi national claims he has taken out an $86,000 student loan to win his own wings.
A police source says the enormous student loan is a "travesty of justice. This man has got all this government money - money we will never see again".
The Sunday Star-Times has obtained Kevin Lenaghan's exam results which reveal he has failed at least 18 out of 27 pilot's exams within a year at taxpayers' expense. He has also spent the money on countless flying hours.
"Money is not a problem. I will spend what I have to to get my (pilot's) licence - even if it takes all the government's money," Lenaghan told the Star-Times.
"I'm not worried about paying the money back. I don't even think about it." The case comes as the government is moving to reign in large student loan provisions for aviation students, with new figures showing the scheme had blown out to $29.6 million in loans last year.
The 10 biggest individual student loans paid out last year all went to aviation students, with one receiving almost $140,000.
The 10 students collectively drew down $993,000 for one year of study.
Lenaghan, 27, pleaded not guilty to five charges of impersonation when he appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Wednesday.
Police allege he sat pilot's exams for a Saudi Arabian Al-Anzy Hussein.
It is alleged Lenaghan sat five exams between July 9 and August 5 using Hussein's name in a bid to gain his friend private and commercial pilot qualifications. He has elected to be tried by jury and is to appear for a pre-depositions hearing in Tauranga on September 25.
The case first sparked concern in the community because police thought there might be a terrorist link.
Speaking last week, Lenaghan said he sat Hussein's exams because he wanted to help his friend pass, as he struggled with English.
"My friends appreciate what I did - trying to help someone else out," said Lenaghan, who is hoping the criminal charges will be lessened.
They met while learning to fly at Ardmore Flying School in south Auckland and often went out partying together.
Ardmore chief flying instructor Warren Sattler said club general manager Craig Hunter alerted police to Lenaghan allegedly sitting exams for his friend.
"We heard about it through the grapevine so we phoned the powers that be," said Sattler.
"When he (Lenaghan) walked out of the examination room, he was met by the boys in blue."
Sattler said most of the students learning to fly at Ardmore had massive student loans. It cost about $60,000 to get a pilot's licence.
When Lenaghan was asked if he was given money to sit the exams for his friend, he said "I benefit in the end. After the court case, I'm going to the Middle East".
Lenaghan told police he got an $86,000 student loan to learn to fly.
"I applied over the phone and got the loan. It was something I wanted to do. I've driven trucks, cars and motorbikes and thought, wow, planes would be the next one."
He wanted to eventually get his commercial pilot's licence and fly jets for Hussein's father, whom he claims is a billionaire who owns jets in Saudi Arabia and has promised him a job.
"But I'm not sure when I will pass. I'm not sure how many times I've failed . . . quite a few," said Lenaghan. "There's a reason why people are failing - it's the quality of the exams.
"Our family has had their troubles. All sorts. But they don't like me talking about it," he said, adding his mother was unhappy about him trying to sit someone else's exam. "She thought I was stupid. But hey, it's my life. I can do what I want."
Trainee pilot racks up huge loan while failing 18 exams
07 September 2003
By RACHEL GRUNWELL
and OSKAR ALLEY
A trainee pilot being prosecuted for sitting flying exams for a Saudi national claims he has taken out an $86,000 student loan to win his own wings.
A police source says the enormous student loan is a "travesty of justice. This man has got all this government money - money we will never see again".
The Sunday Star-Times has obtained Kevin Lenaghan's exam results which reveal he has failed at least 18 out of 27 pilot's exams within a year at taxpayers' expense. He has also spent the money on countless flying hours.
"Money is not a problem. I will spend what I have to to get my (pilot's) licence - even if it takes all the government's money," Lenaghan told the Star-Times.
"I'm not worried about paying the money back. I don't even think about it." The case comes as the government is moving to reign in large student loan provisions for aviation students, with new figures showing the scheme had blown out to $29.6 million in loans last year.
The 10 biggest individual student loans paid out last year all went to aviation students, with one receiving almost $140,000.
The 10 students collectively drew down $993,000 for one year of study.
Lenaghan, 27, pleaded not guilty to five charges of impersonation when he appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Wednesday.
Police allege he sat pilot's exams for a Saudi Arabian Al-Anzy Hussein.
It is alleged Lenaghan sat five exams between July 9 and August 5 using Hussein's name in a bid to gain his friend private and commercial pilot qualifications. He has elected to be tried by jury and is to appear for a pre-depositions hearing in Tauranga on September 25.
The case first sparked concern in the community because police thought there might be a terrorist link.
Speaking last week, Lenaghan said he sat Hussein's exams because he wanted to help his friend pass, as he struggled with English.
"My friends appreciate what I did - trying to help someone else out," said Lenaghan, who is hoping the criminal charges will be lessened.
They met while learning to fly at Ardmore Flying School in south Auckland and often went out partying together.
Ardmore chief flying instructor Warren Sattler said club general manager Craig Hunter alerted police to Lenaghan allegedly sitting exams for his friend.
"We heard about it through the grapevine so we phoned the powers that be," said Sattler.
"When he (Lenaghan) walked out of the examination room, he was met by the boys in blue."
Sattler said most of the students learning to fly at Ardmore had massive student loans. It cost about $60,000 to get a pilot's licence.
When Lenaghan was asked if he was given money to sit the exams for his friend, he said "I benefit in the end. After the court case, I'm going to the Middle East".
Lenaghan told police he got an $86,000 student loan to learn to fly.
"I applied over the phone and got the loan. It was something I wanted to do. I've driven trucks, cars and motorbikes and thought, wow, planes would be the next one."
He wanted to eventually get his commercial pilot's licence and fly jets for Hussein's father, whom he claims is a billionaire who owns jets in Saudi Arabia and has promised him a job.
"But I'm not sure when I will pass. I'm not sure how many times I've failed . . . quite a few," said Lenaghan. "There's a reason why people are failing - it's the quality of the exams.
"Our family has had their troubles. All sorts. But they don't like me talking about it," he said, adding his mother was unhappy about him trying to sit someone else's exam. "She thought I was stupid. But hey, it's my life. I can do what I want."
one may find it hard to work anywhere with a criminal conviction...and courts usually hand down heavier sentences to those who plead not guilty and are found guilty...
um saw tv coverage last week of the day in court on 3 news i think...nearly pissed my self
winner
um saw tv coverage last week of the day in court on 3 news i think...nearly pissed my self
winner
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
A few of the choice "classics" gleaned from the above report,
""There's a reason why people are failing - it's the quality of the exams."
"I've driven trucks, cars and motorbikes and thought, wow, planes would be the next one."
""(Mum) thought I was stupid. But hey, it's my life. I can do what I want."
""Money is not a problem. I will spend what I have to to get my (pilot's) licence - even if it takes all the government's money."
""I applied over the phone and got the loan.....I'm not worried about paying the money back. I don't even think about it."
""There's a reason why people are failing - it's the quality of the exams."
"I've driven trucks, cars and motorbikes and thought, wow, planes would be the next one."
""(Mum) thought I was stupid. But hey, it's my life. I can do what I want."
""Money is not a problem. I will spend what I have to to get my (pilot's) licence - even if it takes all the government's money."
""I applied over the phone and got the loan.....I'm not worried about paying the money back. I don't even think about it."
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Another Dickh**d who ruins it for others.
Typical of todays society. Me! Me! Me! first, to hell with the others. I know my rights, to hell with my responsibilities.
What sane airline Operator would employ an a**hole like that.
His name will be on the National Blacklist, unless of course they are desperate and that looks unlikely in the near future.
Typical of todays society. Me! Me! Me! first, to hell with the others. I know my rights, to hell with my responsibilities.
What sane airline Operator would employ an a**hole like that.
His name will be on the National Blacklist, unless of course they are desperate and that looks unlikely in the near future.
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Thump & Go,
Sure about that record? Ive seen some shocking results
pages. eg. fail,fail,fail,fail,fail,pass!,fail,fail,etc...
Maybe asl should place a *take a hint* after so many.
Sure about that record? Ive seen some shocking results
pages. eg. fail,fail,fail,fail,fail,pass!,fail,fail,etc...
Maybe asl should place a *take a hint* after so many.
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What a complete twit, I saw him on telly and he was a caucasian guy and spoke with a kiwi accent, he then went and claimed to be a person named Anzy Hussein. And then is suprised he is caught. Hmmm another rocket scientist in he making, ah well he will probably get a job with CAA!!!!
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Currawong, thats the record to beat! Although,to be fair she didn't actually make it - NZCAA put paid to that!
Is the trial(<- take note splatgothebugs) to be held in AKL or TRG? I'm a starter -sounds like compulsory viewing
Wheel's spinning but the hamster's dead!
Is the trial(<- take note splatgothebugs) to be held in AKL or TRG? I'm a starter -sounds like compulsory viewing
Wheel's spinning but the hamster's dead!
The guy looked and sounded like an extra from "Bad Taste", with no offence meant to Peter Jackson.... I think there is little chance he will bring anything into disrepute ... he only has to open his mouth to confirm anyone's initial assessment
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Depositions Hearing
Depositions hearing scheduled for Sep 25 at the Tauranga District Court.
Bummer, wont be able to make it! When someone finds out when the trial proper starts please post it here.
As for the student loan over the phone - I think he's talking out his ar$e (a distinct possibility). Since when could you get a loan without paperwork?
Perhaps the real idiots are the ones who continue to train someone who deserves the "golf" speech. More proof that some kind of aptitude test should be carried out - right now anyone with deep enough pockets can get a licence
Bummer, wont be able to make it! When someone finds out when the trial proper starts please post it here.
As for the student loan over the phone - I think he's talking out his ar$e (a distinct possibility). Since when could you get a loan without paperwork?
Perhaps the real idiots are the ones who continue to train someone who deserves the "golf" speech. More proof that some kind of aptitude test should be carried out - right now anyone with deep enough pockets can get a licence
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The statement was not meant to imply a particular "era", rather that if you can throw enough money at it you can probably get there in the end. The problem is that these "candidates" (I use the term loosely) obviously have no natural aptitude/ no genuine interest (CPL sounds better than a BA to the chicks etc) or no brains and NO chance of getting where they told their parents they would! Agreed, you don't have to be a world beater to be in this business,but a modicum of common sense and the right attitude sure help.
With the advent of full funding,your average "I'm here for the wrong reasons" candidate can get further through their training prior to dropping out, or they can start training when in the past they simply would not have been able. Meanwhile they waste other students time while the instructor explains for the 3rd time that gravity ALWAYS acts toward the centre of the Earth!!
No performance based checks (it seems) are required by the ministry to get/keep getting a loan - ie the tax payers money.
For that matter no performance based checks are required by ASL!?
If you find it tough and get through with the right attitude - Great! If you get through then kill someone - that sux!
I've had my rant for the night - sorry in advance
With the advent of full funding,your average "I'm here for the wrong reasons" candidate can get further through their training prior to dropping out, or they can start training when in the past they simply would not have been able. Meanwhile they waste other students time while the instructor explains for the 3rd time that gravity ALWAYS acts toward the centre of the Earth!!
No performance based checks (it seems) are required by the ministry to get/keep getting a loan - ie the tax payers money.
For that matter no performance based checks are required by ASL!?
If you find it tough and get through with the right attitude - Great! If you get through then kill someone - that sux!
I've had my rant for the night - sorry in advance