A commercial helicopter pilot has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, at Lewes Crown Court on 6 April 2022 for forging revalidations in his pilot’s licence, making false entries in his personal flying log and flying a helicopter without an appropriate licence.

Giles Dumper, 41, of Horley, West Sussex, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to fourteen charges relating to forgery, making false entries and flying without an appropriate licence.  He held a commercial pilot’s licence to fly helicopters but forged his qualifications to fly particular types of helicopters, and forged entries in his log covering-up the forgeries.  The Civil Aviation Authority has revoked his licence.

Commenting on the case, Alison Slater, Head of Investigations and Enforcement at the Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“Offences of this kind compromise aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Authority has taken and will continue to take appropriate action to protect the public.”