RAF Instructor in a spot of bother

Steyr

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23478607-details/RAF+flying+instructor+terrorised+golf+fans+by+flying+low+over+the+Open+to+impress+student/article.do


RAF flying instructor terrorised golf fans by flying low over the Open to impress student
Last updated at 18:52pm on 16.04.08


The Open golf championship was in full swing and 30,000 fans had lined the fairways to watch the action.


Marc Rodriguez, a keen player himself, also fancied taking a peek - but his action was to get him into trouble.

The RAF flying instructor was airborne at the time. And his decision to swoop down to 400 feet over the crowded course at Carnoustie in Scotland landed him in front of a court martial.

Yesterday, after he admitted a charge of low flying, Squadron Leader Jim Morris, prosecuting, told the hearing: "He even dipped the right wing of the aircraft so he could have a better view."

Rodriguez, 29, had taken off from nearby RAF Leuchars with an officer cadet on a navigational training exercise in a 150mph twin-seat Grob Tutor aircraft.

But within minutes of take- off, and while flying at 1,500ft, he turned to the student and said: "Let's go and have a look at the golf."

He then took control of the plane and headed towards the course where last July's tournament was being played.

He flew low over the tenth and the 18th holes before regaining height and flying back out towards the North Sea and his original flight path.


Unknown to him, a spy satellite was tracking his flight and recorded every movement, the court martial in Colchester, Essex, was told.

A set of pictures taken by the satellite was handed to the panel.

He was also unaware that the station commander at RAF Leuchars had decreed the area over the Open a no-fly zone for the duration of the championship.

Rodriguez, a Flight Lieutenant with No 3 Squadron, had qualified as a flying instructor a month before the incident and had been posted to RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire.

But he volunteered to transfer to the East of Scotland University Air Squadron at Leuchars because there was more flying to be had.

He pleaded guilty to a single charge of low flying below 1,000 feet over a gathering of more than 1,000 people.


Squadron Leader Morris said: "He went 600ft below the limit. This was witnessed by a number of people and the registration of the plane was taken and reported to air traffic control and handed over to the Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team to handle."

In an interview with investigators, Rodriguez admitted he was a keen golfer but said that if he had been aware the golf course was a prohibited area he would not have gone near it.

The court martial heard he was a qualified pilot of the VC10 jet transporter and had flown more than 1,600 hours in the aircraft, often on dangerous missions over Iraq refuelling coalition fighter aircraft.

Defence lawyer Nigel Burn said the no-fly order affecting flights over the golf course had not been passed to Rodriguez's squadron and was available only on the internet.

He said Rodriguez had arrived with the squadron only five days before and had not been given access to either the internet or RAF intranet before take-off.

Mr Burn said: "He is accustomed to flying VC10s at 33,000 feet and this was a new experience for him.

"As a result of this he was grounded for two months and ordered to take another course which he passed with distinction. He is an above average flier, but at the time he was an inexperienced instructor."

Judge Advocate Robert Seymour told Rodriguez: "You are a man of impeccable character, but you should have been aware of the relevant regulations.

"Pilots are expected to observe the highest standards. Low flying is a particularly serious matter and you did this so you could get a better look at the golf tournament."

Rodriguez was fined £1,500 and given a severe reprimand. His legal team is considering an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

cp251

Rodriguez was fined £1,500 and given a severe reprimand. His legal team is considering an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

That's not severe. He got away with it. He could have been grounded forever. He should take his sentence and thank his lucky stars he wasn't kicked out of the air force.

His excuse is pathetic. Every pilot knows the rules about overflying crowds and sports events. You don't need to read it on the internet before take off.

In truth, he got away with it.

minidazzler

Well then again a severe reprimand will go on his military Record. His career could be in the canner now.

His chances of going commercial are still quite high but not as nice considering his name is on the news for dangerous flying.

He had a bit of craic I dont see a problem with it. Ya, a little dangerous but walking on the street is more dangerous considering how well trained this guy probably is. I know he should not have done it but he did and now I highly doubt he will do it again considering he will be watched.

kowloon

Basic rules like that are covered in the private license exams, theres no way a professional pilot wouldn't know them.
It's just a case of the rules and following the rules being a different kettle o' fish.

cp251

I suppose, going from big aeroplanes to little aeroplanes and a more relaxed environment. He decided to have a little fun. We've all done it. The instructor showed me low level flying on my first ever flight. We jumped all the fences at a racecourse in a C150. The difference was that the 2:30 wasn't in progress at the time.

He did it in the middle of the open!

Most of the time you you get friendly waves from everyone you fly over. You can sometimes even see them smile. Not at golf courses though. :eek::D