Gosport Pilot Charged With Being Drunk At Controls

31 October 2014, 09:06 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Hampshire pilot's become the second in three days - arrested on suspicion of getting drunk before getting behind the controls.

Ian Jennings, 47, from Gale Moor Avenue in Gosport, was arrested at Norwich Airport yesterday afternoon (Thursday 30 October) after landing a commercial chartered plane.

He has been charged with performing an aviation function when the alcohol in his breath was over the prescribed limited, Norfolk Police said.

Jennings was released on bail to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on November 13 where he will face the allegation under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

The plane is believed to have been a Canadair CL601-3A Challenger owned by charter company Hangar 8.

The charge comes after a Flybe pilot was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old pilot had been due to fly from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick when he was held. The flight was cancelled and passengers faced delays, with some missing connections.

A spokesman said:

``Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help the police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport yesterday.

``The airline is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place.''

For pilots, air crew and air traffic controllers the alcohol limit is 20mg per 100ml of blood. The drink-drive limit for motorists is 80mg.