http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22487205

 

I feel sorry for the guy,probably a frustated pilot who just wanted to keep doing what he liked.

 

I don't feel sorry for anyone who forges documents to get into the left or right seat of any vehicle, especially a 60T+ airliner.

 

Since when do afriqiyah fly the A320 to Gatwick? Is it because they only have two A330's left after nose diving one into the ground with 104 souls onboard?

It annoy's me though that the way the article is written it seems to imply that the possession of a valid, current set of "papers" is what confers the skills and capability for being a pilot, rather than simply documenting one's bona-fides and skills.

What is obvious is that this person had the requisite skills and experience to be a competent pilot. As far as I'm concerned, the more interesting question is why he didn't have a valid, current commercial license and certifications. Were his privileges revoked at some point, and if so why?

What is obvious is that this person had the requisite skills and experience to be a competent pilot.

It's not obvious to me. Was he competent to cope with an emergency or any other abnormal event?

It's not obvious to me. Was he competent to cope with an emergency or any other abnormal event?

No doubt he was capable and correctly trained to operate the aircraft. He was a line pilot so had to go through the same training and sim checks as everyone else, not to mention the interviews and psychometric test.

 

The issue is he forged his way into the right seat, taking the seat from someone else who had jumped through hoops to legitimately meet the minimum requirements for the job, and as mentioned above, why didn't he have the certifications required to get the job in the first place?

 

 

No doubt he was capable and correctly trained to operate the aircraft

 

How do you know that - where did he get his training?

 

 The reports say he forged his licence and medical certificates.

How do you know that - where did he get his training?

 

 The reports say he forged his licence and medical certificates.

If he was a line pilot he would have been fully checked out. You don't just walk through the door and start flying, you go through a rigorous process before you are let loose on 50 million $ machine.

He was a USAF pilot prior to this debacle. According to news.

If he was a line pilot he would have been fully checked out. You don't just walk through the door and start flying, you go through a rigorous process before you are let loose on 50 million $ machine.

 

That may be true in the west but it's certainly not universally true in developing countries. The airline here didn't even bother to check his licence do how rigorously did it check his flying abilities?

Gerry,

 

The guy involved was an American, he was type rated on the A320 and had been flying in the Airforce for years. From your comments I will take it that you don't really know what someone has to go through once they get past the interview stage.

 

It doesn't matter if you have 200 hours on type or you are joining as a DEC with 50000 hours, you still get thoroughly checked out, that includes line training with a training captain after a huge amount of studying and sim sessions.

 

Once again, his flying ability was not in question, the issue is that he forged "some" documents, including his medical certificate, he was 59, more then likely failed a previous medical.

 

Btw, if you head over to R&N you can see a few posts from some well respected members, they claim he was a knowledgeable pilot and a great guy to fly with, which makes it all the more strange that he didn't just get his papers in order.

comments I will take it that you don't really know what someone has to go through once they get past the interview stage.

I take it you don't really know what really happens in the real world. That's why the EU publishes a 26 page list of airlines that are banned from operating in the EU, including country-wide bans

 

All air carriers certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight in

 

 

Afghanistan

Angola with some exceptions

Benin

Republic of Congo

Democratic

Republic of Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Indonesia with some exceptions

Kazakhstan with one exception

Kyrgyz Republic

Republic of Gabon with some exceptions

Republic of Mozambique

Republic of the Philippines

Sao Tome and Principe

Sierra Leone

Republic of Sudan

Swaziland

Zambia

 

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban/doc/list_en.pdf

 

There are many airlines not on the list whose standards are not the same as western airlines.

 

 

Yes of course! What is your point? It has nothing to do with afriqiyah or the pilot involved?

 

If you want to bang on about poor pilot skills and guys staying in the right seat of an airliner despite crunching landings and numerous screw ups, take a look at the pay to fly schemes that some well known European airlines promote..

 

Anyway, enough talking nonsense with you.. here's another quote from someone that claims to actually know him.

 

I know the guy and there has to be more to the story. I worked with him at SQC and he was a very good pilot. I know he was typed on the 320 both his FAA and CAAS licenses.

 

I will echo lexxie747 and 18-wheeler's comments, he was a true gentleman to fly with and knew what he was talking about.

 

So, all I can say is there must be more to the story than being outed on an internet forum....

 

I do have some ocean front property in Arizona if anyone is interested.....

 

 

Yes of course! What is your point?

My point is simply that it's naïve to assume all airline check their staff to the same standards as the best western ones.

Anyway, why are you defending a convicted criminal and a fugitive from justice - can pilots do no wrong?.

Wonder why Air France is not mentioned in that list?

 

Off subject I know, but they have had quite a few serious issues in the last decade that should have earned them a spot right?

 

Sorry, and I am not trying to stir the pot in anyway, but feel compelled to mention this fact.

Hehe, ever seen the video of the Aeroflot A320 departing with thick snow on its wings?

 

Anyway, Gerry forgot to mention that a big chunk of banned airlines is not down to poor pilot skills but rubbish maintenance. Nobody wants a clapped out 727 dropping parts on houses.