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Microlight Pilot Flies Into Controlled Airspace, Delays 15 Flights

The pilot of a one-man ultralight aircraft caused the delay of hundreds of passengers when he inadvertently encroached on the protected airspace surrounding Manchester Airport.

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has successfully prosecuted the pilot of a recreational ultralight aircraft who paralyzed operations at Manchester Airport (MAN) when he flew into controlled airspace surrounding the facility in January of this year. According to the CAA, Robert Bawn remained in a restricted section of the busy air corridor for nearly half-an-hour causing at least 15 inbound passenger planes to be denied permission to land and resulting in substantial delays for hundreds of passengers.

Air traffic controllers had no way of alerting Bawn that he was in danger, because he did not have a working radio aboard his aircraft. The amateur aviator had no idea that he was impeding air traffic, in part because he was piloting the tiny plane without the aid of charts or electronic navigation devices. Bawn later turned himself in to authorities after Manchester air traffic controllers issued a public plea for information about the ultralight aircraft’s treacherous and unauthorized flight path.

The 64-year-old pled guilty to a single count of “flying within class D controlled airspace without air traffic control clearance” on Thursday. The pilot was ordered to pay a fine of £1,675. Bawn will also be required to make restitution in the amount of £750.

“This is yet another example of a pilot being unprepared for a flight,” CAA Airspace Regulator Rob Gratton said in a statement praising the legal victory. “It is essential all pilots undertake proper pre-flight planning by carefully plotting their entire journey. Backup charts should be carried and where possible airspace alerting tools should be carried. This incident, which caused huge stress for air traffic controllers and substantial delays for hundreds of passengers, could have been easily avoided.”

MAN officials also celebrated the fact that prosecutors achieved justice in the courtroom. “We take any incursion into our airspace incredibly seriously and welcome the outcome,” an airport spokesperson said of the verdict.

[Photo: Shutterstock]

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