Pilot jailed over carnival flights

The court heard that Evans had not clocked up enough flying hours

A uncertified pilot who let children as young as six sit at the live controls of his helicopter during flights has been jailed for three months.

Swansea Crown Court heard how 47-year-old David Evans offered the rides at a carnival in Amanford, west Wales, with the dual controls of the aircraft unconnected.

David Evans pleaded guilty

He charged between £12 and £15 for flights lasting between 5 to 7 minutes despite the fact that he had only clocked up 62 flying hours of the 200 he needed to gain an air operator's certificate.

The court heard that Evans had allowed young children to sit on their parent's lap without a seat belt. And during one flight he even had to tell one youngster to stop touching the dual controls as they were live and had not been disconnected.

Evans, of Coed Cae Road, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering a helicopter and flying for the purpose of transporting the public without an air operator's certificate.

Sentenced to three months imprisonment, he was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine and £5127.29 in costs.

MCRY4082 BHEN4535 14:19 04 AU