A self-employed hot air balloon pilot has been successfully prosecuted by the CAA after it was discovered his aviation medical certificate had been forged. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay legal costs.
The pilot in question, David John Griffin admitted to two counts of using a forged Class 2 aviation medical certificate contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2009, with intent to deceive when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court this week. The first offence related to a period between 5 July 2013 and 6 October 2013, followed by a further offence for a period between 11 April 2014 and 27 September 2014.
Following his guilty pleas Mr Griffin, 44, of Bowerhill, Melksham, Wiltshire, was fined £2,000, ordered to pay CAA costs of £538, the Criminal Courts charge of £180 and a victim surcharge of £200.
Mr Griffin’s deceit was uncovered when the CAA were carrying out a routine audit. During this process it became clear that the defendant had altered an old medical certificate.
The CAA says it ‘will be taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure aviation safety laws are fully complied with and this includes prosecution’.
