Civil Aviation Authority inspector not as qualified as claimed

Friday, 30 June 2017

Suzanne and Mark Ford with one of the Wessex Mk2 helicopters they claim were fraudulently grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

A senior Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) inspector who played a critical role in a court battle involving the authority has admitted he did not have the qualifications he claimed.

Paul Mitchell Jones, a flight operations inspector, claimed on his CV that he had two advanced aviation qualifications relating to fixed wing and helicopter aircraft.

However, in a recent court affidavit he conceded he overstated his flying status, admitting he did not have an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), for both aeroplanes and helicopters, as stated in his CV. In fact he had neither, although he had flown the requisite hours.

An ATPL is the highest licence a pilot can earn in New Zealand and gives the holder the status of captain. Helicopters and aeroplanes have separate licences and Jones claimed to have earned the two in the late 90s.

* The choppers, the finance firms and the missing millions

* Have you fudged a resume or hired someone who did?**

CAA flight operations inspectors are responsible for monitoring the safety of aeroplanes and helicopters.

In the affidavit filed in 2016, Jones said he had completed the necessary flying hours for both licences but had not sat the flying tests required to pass them.

'I have been educated to the standard required for those licences and my intention was to record this. I regret not setting this out fully in my CV,' he said.

He claimed he had flown 7500 hours in both planes and helicopters. The requirement for an ATPL is a minimum of 1500 hours of flying time.

In 2013, Jones taught at the CTC Aviation school as an ATPL instructor when he did not have the qualification either. CTC, which is part of an international aviation training company, said the licence was not a prerequisite to teach the course.

The recent affidavit surfaced in a court battle in which the CAA was challenged by helicopter log recovery company Helilogging (in receivership and liquidation).

CAA stopped Helilogging from commercial helicopter logging operations in 2005 because it assessed the helicopter Helilogging planned to use, the Westland Wessex, as unsafe for that operation.

Helilogging has since sought compensation for its business failure from the CAA, alleging connections between CAA staff and other helicopter logging commercial interests.

Jones gave evidence for the CAA to support its decision that Wessex helicopters were unsafe for logging. In a 2014 affidavit, he maintained he had the ATPL licences.

The Court of Appeal in May allowed an appeal by Helilogging against a High Court decision striking out its claim against the CAA. The CAA is appealing the decision.

Jones' other claims of past experience also appear to be overstated. In 2014, he claimed he 'flew in Northern Ireland with 72 Squadron' in the British Royal Air Force.

Before 72 Squadron was disbanded in 2002, it had a reputation as one Britain's most famous squadrons, distinguishing itself in both world wars and in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

Jones revised the claim in his later affidavit to say he was actually a member of 655 Squadron that was stationed next to 72 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove near Belfast. He said he had flown in exercises with 72.

While 72 flew Wessexs, 655 flew Lynxs, although Jones now claims he flew Wessexs in exercises with 72 Squadron.

In another claim, Jones said he had been a test pilot for all mission systems for the AW 159 Wildcat. He later admitted he flew the simulator 'as all mission systems were trialled in the simulator before they were integrated into the actual airframe of the aircraft'.

Jones claimed in his CV that he was the director of a company called Thoroughbred Ltd, based in Lower Hutt. There is no record that he is or was a director of the company.

Jones resigned from the CAA earlier this year.

CAA spokeswoman Philippa Lagan said the organisation was convinced safety had not been jeopardised.

'The CAA has no concerns as to the quality of the work performed by this staff member, who was considered to be competent and knowledgeable. There are accordingly no aviation or public safety concerns arising in relation to this staff member's work.

'We agree that the public has a legitimate expectation that we can demonstrate that staff who occupy a safety critical role are appropriately experienced and qualified to fulfil their roles adequately.'

She said the CAA did not want to release any more details about Jones' employment.

'While it is appropriate and necessary to provide reassurance that there are no issues of public safety arising, it is not appropriate to discuss publicly the CAA's employment relationship with any of our staff or former staff.'

Transport Minister Simon Bridges said he was not concerned with how the CAA was operating.

'This is an operational matter for the CAA, but I have full confidence in the systems the CAA has in place.'

Jones said he was not able to comment on any of the discrepancies in his two statements to the court.

His property in Upper Hutt is on the market.