Pilot charged for taking helicopter shopping
Gatvol
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and the FAA database doesn't lie
Helicopters in many parts of the world are a new fangled thing. Im sure he could have landed there legally had he contacted the garage owner, paid a Fee, the whatever CAA and paid a fee and a few other people and paid a fee. Otherwise hes a bad person........Nice to know that fees make you whole again.
Landed in so many backyards I cant count them, never had a problem, probably because I never flew in Europe.....
Have to agree on one thing, he should have known he was going to catch problems. I think if in fact he was running on a PPL or a students license he probably did what he did because he didnt know any better. In which case a spanking is required.
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The court heard that the downwash from the helicopter's landing would have been strong enough to lift a person off the roof of the car park.
"Captain John Steel, an aeronautical officer with the IAA, said the downwash of the helicopter as it landed would be sufficient to move a person over the 1.5 metre barrier surrounding the car park."
"Captain John Steel, an aeronautical officer with the IAA, said the downwash of the helicopter as it landed would be sufficient to move a person over the 1.5 metre barrier surrounding the car park."
He said the aircraft O'Brien was operating was not permitted to land on a heliport above 10 metres for safety reasons.
Asked by State Solicitor Peter Jones if he did not like the IAA, the pilot said they were "very selective" about who they investigate.
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Irish Times-Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Pilot who landed on car park roof banned
A MAN who flew 12 miles in a borrowed helicopter and then landed on the roof of a multi-storey car park in the middle of Athlone on a Saturday afternoon to get a set of keys cut was banned from flying for 12 months yesterday. Seán O'Brien (50), The Island, Ballycumber, Co Offaly, was before Judge David Anderson at Athlone District Court on charges brought by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) after landing on roof of the Texas shopping centre on July 7th last year. The most serious of the charges was one of reckless endangerment after a security guard who tried to wave the helicopter away had his hand slightly injured by the effect the downdraft had on a large door he tried to shelter behind. A civil action on this is still pending. O'Brien also faced charges of breaches of rules about altitude and landing procedures and other technical matters. O'Brien, who is single, unemployed and supported by his grandmother, claimed he had permission to land on the building. He claimed heliport landings were statistically so safe that each one only had an accident every 344 years. "From the time of Da Vinci?" asked the judge. However, Capt John Steele, for the IAA, told the court the landing site was not a proper heliport but a multi-storey car park. O'Brien accused the IAA of "making rules that are unworkable". The judge said he was satisfied the defendant manoeuvred the helicopter with blatant disregard, either through ignorance or lack of comprehension of fundamental rules of the game. Suggesting that the alternative would be six months in Mountjoy, the judge put O'Brien on a bail bond for one year, the main condition of which is that he will not fly during that period.
This article appears in todays print edition of the Irish Time
Pilot who landed on car park roof banned
A MAN who flew 12 miles in a borrowed helicopter and then landed on the roof of a multi-storey car park in the middle of Athlone on a Saturday afternoon to get a set of keys cut was banned from flying for 12 months yesterday. Seán O'Brien (50), The Island, Ballycumber, Co Offaly, was before Judge David Anderson at Athlone District Court on charges brought by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) after landing on roof of the Texas shopping centre on July 7th last year. The most serious of the charges was one of reckless endangerment after a security guard who tried to wave the helicopter away had his hand slightly injured by the effect the downdraft had on a large door he tried to shelter behind. A civil action on this is still pending. O'Brien also faced charges of breaches of rules about altitude and landing procedures and other technical matters. O'Brien, who is single, unemployed and supported by his grandmother, claimed he had permission to land on the building. He claimed heliport landings were statistically so safe that each one only had an accident every 344 years. "From the time of Da Vinci?" asked the judge. However, Capt John Steele, for the IAA, told the court the landing site was not a proper heliport but a multi-storey car park. O'Brien accused the IAA of "making rules that are unworkable". The judge said he was satisfied the defendant manoeuvred the helicopter with blatant disregard, either through ignorance or lack of comprehension of fundamental rules of the game. Suggesting that the alternative would be six months in Mountjoy, the judge put O'Brien on a bail bond for one year, the main condition of which is that he will not fly during that period.
This article appears in todays print edition of the Irish Time
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I have to agree with Bronx, what a stupid statement from Steel about the downwash enough to blow somebody off the roof, and he claims to be a pilot??? I reckon he was just after a conviction and would say anything to get it, I hope he is happy, what a numpty.
Gatvol
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Captain John Steel, an aeronautical officer with the IAA, said the downwash of the helicopter as it landed would be sufficient to move a person over the 1.5 metre barrier surrounding the car park."
Bottom line is the guy used bad judgment. What gets me is how all the experts will now fall in line like a row of ducks and quack, quack, quack.
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At least he still gets to fly
Granted he has to wait 12 months, but better than having his ticket pulled.
I don't know which side of the fence I'm on in this particular case (that 500's downdraft did not knock me down to one side or another
).....
It is unfortunate incident none-the-less.
One part of me says these built-up area restrictions are nonsense - you can't legislate against Darwinism (there are many other ways people can get injured or worse in a built up area than a helicopter landing on a raised car parking lot);
though is a pilot he should be responsible for ensuring he has permission (almost said "is welcome"
) to land where he is going.... whether it is deemed a suitable and safe landing area or not.
What the suitable punishment or reaction should be to the latter part I don't know....
I don't know which side of the fence I'm on in this particular case (that 500's downdraft did not knock me down to one side or another
).....It is unfortunate incident none-the-less.
One part of me says these built-up area restrictions are nonsense - you can't legislate against Darwinism (there are many other ways people can get injured or worse in a built up area than a helicopter landing on a raised car parking lot);
though is a pilot he should be responsible for ensuring he has permission (almost said "is welcome"
) to land where he is going.... whether it is deemed a suitable and safe landing area or not.What the suitable punishment or reaction should be to the latter part I don't know....
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In fact he was convicted on the basis of law. The Rules of the Air state:
And:
Taken from the accident investigation report.
Simple as that.
He could still have his license pulled. The IAA has been designated to oversee FAA pilots and aircraft based in Ireland. No doubt a report has been sent to the Feds. This may not be over.
In this case of particular relevance is S.I. 61 of 2006 The IAA Operations Order; Article 51(3)(b) Only a helicopter operated in Performance Class 1 shall be permitted to operate from elevated heliports in congested areas.
S.I. 216 of 2005 further states:
(d) in the case of a rotorcraft or balloon, not being used for public transport, any place where the aircraft may take-off or land without undue hazard to persons or property and in respect of which the owner or occupier of that place shall have given permission for such use, except that, in the case of a rotorcraft, where that place is of an elevated construction, located on the roof of a building or a structure, it shall also be licensed by the Authority under this Order for such use by that rotorcraft. 5
(d) in the case of a rotorcraft or balloon, not being used for public transport, any place where the aircraft may take-off or land without undue hazard to persons or property and in respect of which the owner or occupier of that place shall have given permission for such use, except that, in the case of a rotorcraft, where that place is of an elevated construction, located on the roof of a building or a structure, it shall also be licensed by the Authority under this Order for such use by that rotorcraft. 5
Simple as that.
He could still have his license pulled. The IAA has been designated to oversee FAA pilots and aircraft based in Ireland. No doubt a report has been sent to the Feds. This may not be over.
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There is a bigger issue here than what happened like the fact that that the pilot in question did hand over all log books in his possesion to a member of the IAA in the presence of a member of the Garda Siochanna which have then been conviently lost or the fact that that the IAA seem to prosecute only certain members of the Aviation comunity here in Ireland.The ones that don't always have a certain connection such as a certain pilot who flew EI-ECA which had a wheels up landing that was never repoted to the IAA or the same pilot that flew EI-CQG that hit the fuel bowser in Weston what a convient report that made nothing to do with the fact that he is an ex-member of tye irish air corps or that his father is a certain position holder in the IAA.Or like the Agusta 109 also flown by Ex air-corps personnel who clipped a tail rotor going into a private site where is the report on that one all very conviently swept under the carpet.Nothing to do with the IAA / AIIU being like a retirement home for these guys.
Also how many of the AIIU members actually have a degree in Air Accident Investigation or completed a course.
Is it only the people who stand up against them when questioning their practices that get prosecuted.
"Captain John Steel, an aeronautical officer with the IAA, said the downwash of the helicopter as it landed would be sufficient to move a person over the 1.5 metre barrier surrounding the car park." This statement was actually made by a Licenced Helicopter pilot who is he trying to dupe.
Also how many of the AIIU members actually have a degree in Air Accident Investigation or completed a course.
Is it only the people who stand up against them when questioning their practices that get prosecuted.
"Captain John Steel, an aeronautical officer with the IAA, said the downwash of the helicopter as it landed would be sufficient to move a person over the 1.5 metre barrier surrounding the car park." This statement was actually made by a Licenced Helicopter pilot who is he trying to dupe.
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Iaa & Aaiu
Regarding the incident and Judgement of the pilot, I believe he has gotten away very lightly.
Topperharvey,
I think your a little off point here. This is the first of many cases taken by the IAA. The AAIU have missed a number of accidents and near misses. I'm not defending them. I just read EI-CQG report and it seams fair, or should it read different?
Ragman20,
Does the AAIU have a report out on that case?
B Sousa,
Might I suggest if anyone sees Capt. John Steel walking near a helicopter in the hover to get a photo and post it on PPRUNE.
Topperharvey,
I think your a little off point here. This is the first of many cases taken by the IAA. The AAIU have missed a number of accidents and near misses. I'm not defending them. I just read EI-CQG report and it seams fair, or should it read different?
Ragman20,
Does the AAIU have a report out on that case?
B Sousa,
Might I suggest if anyone sees Capt. John Steel walking near a helicopter in the hover to get a photo and post it on PPRUNE.
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flushthemout - Probationary Ppruner
Why the change of username ketchup?
Did you just want to post agreeing with yourself?
Or did you realise your previous posts on this thread had blown any credibility ketchup might ever have had?
Are you vindictive by nature or do you work for the IAA?
Or both?
Great username - 'flushthemout'.
You've been flushed.
Regarding the incident and Judgement of the pilot, I believe he has gotten away very lightly.
Why the change of username ketchup?
Did you just want to post agreeing with yourself?
Or did you realise your previous posts on this thread had blown any credibility ketchup might ever have had?
Are you vindictive by nature or do you work for the IAA?
Or both?
Great username - 'flushthemout'.
You've been flushed.
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From what i hear on the "Weston Front", Alan Walsh got done for accepting a 1000" clearance accross the city and not requesting 1500", apparently an eye witness who just happened to be walking along the quays, and who just happened to be an IAA inspector reported the "incident",... should the controller not have been dragged in there with him?......how convenient for them
.... would they not be better off spending their time looking down (instead of up) for small people in case they get "blown off their feet" into the Liffey by passing Hughs 500's 
!!!!!!
.... would they not be better off spending their time looking down (instead of up) for small people in case they get "blown off their feet" into the Liffey by passing Hughs 500's !!!!!!
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Hotel roof-top landing
And the winner of the Darwin award goes to the Pilot who just landed twice on the roof of Killiney Castle Hotel Dublin in a Bell 206. Loads of flash photography from all the public on the hill looking down at you.
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