I'm in no way trying to start anything like the last Wagstaff thread so please keep cool, okay. Just heard about this and thought i'd share. I guess we'll see what comes of this soon.
Wagstaff OWI case could affect pilot's license
Air show pilot Patty Wagstaff may have to undergo a treatment program or satisfy other requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration if she is convicted of the drunken driving offense she was charged in Winnebago County with following an incident at Wittman Regional Airport during AirVenture.
The FAA handles pilots who have been convicted of a drunken driving offense on a case-by-case basis when determining whether or not the pilot will retain their flight certificate.
Individuals who have a pilot certificate are required to inform FAA officials when they get convicted of a drunk driving offense and will then usually have to undergo some kind of alcohol treatment before the medical portion of their flight certificate is reinstated and they are eligible to fly again.
"When somebody does have a drunk driving conviction we want to see them going through some kind of drunk driving rehabilitation before getting their medical updated," FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said. "They're going to have to prove it to us and come back and pass the next medical before they can have their certificate valid."
Wagstaff is scheduled to make a court appearance Oct. 14 on a first-offense operating while intoxicated and refusing to take a test for intoxication citations in connection to a July 31 incident on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport during the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture.
Few details about the incident have been released. Winnebago County District Attorney Christian Gossett said his office is still reviewing the incident to determine whether criminal charges would be filed in connection to the incident.
Her attorney Christopher Mutschler could not be reached for comment late last week.
A pilot's certificate consists of two parts, a proficiency portion and a medical portion, Isham Cory said. While the proficiency portion signifies the individual knows how to fly and understands the rules of flight, Isham Cory said an individual must go to a doctor and have an exam in order to get medical clearance. During this exam, an individual's legal history - including any convictions - is detailed and individuals must disclose any drunken driving offenses.
At the same time, the FAA regularly checks state driver's license records to see if any individuals who hold a flight certificate have drunken driving convictions, Isham Cory said.
When an individual does have a conviction, Isham Cory said, the FAA handles it on a case-by-case basis before making a decision. If a treatment program is ordered, Isham Cory said a pilot's medical certificate is not valid until the program is complete and pilots provide the FAA with documentation proving that before their next medical update and their medical certificate is reinstated.
Pilots who fail to inform the FAA of a conviction face a suspension or revocation of their pilot's license or a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation, Isham Cory said. Pilots must report any moving motor vehicle violations, such as drunken driving, to the FAA within 60 days, Isham Cory said. This includes any arrests in addition to convictions.
"It's something we watch," Isham Cory said. "We want to make sure our pilots are flying safely."
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbc ... 8810130341
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