Is The Database Of British Pilots Online?

Moderator Message

if fact the more I read why the OP wants the info , the more I feel this is not the place.

Indeed.

This really isn’t the place.

Try PPRUNE.

Cheers

GA

…….and claimed to have an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, but they aparently never taught such a subject let alone offered degrees in it.

Hi

The following URL for the University of Edinburgh’s Alumni may help establish http://www.ed.ac.uk/alumni –
1. If the University of Edinburgh had a course in Aeronautical Engineering
2. If the named person is a graduate and when

It may help not to dramatise your reasons for asking.

If the answers to both the above are negative and you feel the said persons claims are ones posing a potential serious threat then you must heed the advice already posted in this thread and pass the relevant information (ideally without any bias) to the authorities responsible for the persons known area/country of domicile.

He or she may be a complete “fruit and nut case” on the other hand you may be on to something.

The database referred to when you opened this thread, pertaining to pilot’s qualifications will not (at least initially) exclude errors of associated qualifications claimed by a minority of unscruplous individuals.

No the guy is not seeking employment. But he made controversial and I believe specious claims regarding 9/11 and used his supposed status as an aeronautical engineer and commercial pilot to buttress his claims.

.

So because someone writes on the internet that they are pilot you want to set up a publically accessible database? People make all sorts of wild claims on this medium. Think you just have to accept the internet does have its fair share of shysters and nutters, just take what the have to say with a shovel full of salt!!

Planemike

I don’t think the O.P. joined the Forum four years ago in anticipation of asking this question.;)

I don’t agree that it would irresponsible to have a searchable database of pilots except that personal details such as addresses should be off limits. With the internet today it is relatively easy to find personal details without too much effort. I wonder if the US has had any problems with the free access to its databases?

No the guy is not seeking employment. But he made controversial and I believe specious claims regarding 9/11 and used his supposed status as an aeronautical engineer and commercial pilot to buttress his claims.

http://uncensored.co.nz/2010/08/15/nila-sagadevan-911-the-impossibility-of-flying-heavy-aircraft-without-training/

A good reason to make such licenses public is that charter company customers might want to check on the people flying them, asking the pilot to show you his license just before take off would be a bit awkward. I don’t see this as being analogous to a drivers license because (in the US at least) virtually every adult has the latter but only a small number (about 0.25%) the former. Unless the person doing the search would spend a lot of time entering random names they would enter names of people who claimed to be a pilot.

to be honest I dont agree with anything you have put here.
It is not our place to be asking the pilot if he has a licence before we fly on his plane.
In fact I think that is would be extreamly insulting.
I still stick to what I said before , if you have such doubts about the person , theN joining an aviation website to air you feelings in not the right place , you should be callig the Police or the CAA

A good reason to make such licenses public is that charter company customers might want to check on the people flying them

Hmm… I’m not sure I agree with that either!

Do you ever jump into the back of a taxi and ask the taxi driver if you can see his driving licence before he takes you anywhere? Similarly, do you ask to see the licences of the pilots flying you away on your holidays? Of course you don’t!

As a passenger on any flight, whether with an airline such as a British Airways or on a chartered business jet, you need not worry about the qualifications of those flying the aircraft. Sufficient checks are in place to ensure that only qualified pilots make it to the flight deck.

As has already been said, if you have doubts as to the legitimacy of a pilot, then you should contact the Civil Aviation Authority or the police.

In essence the register of names, relevant qualifications and certifications seems quite a reasonable thing.

As to whether personal addresses being published as opposed to an employment address is acceptable is a completely different matter of personal privacy.

In the UK I hope the database entries will be restricted to include employment addresses only and apart from someone who is self employed using their home as a business address there should be no problem.

I agree that pros should be able to give there business address, private pilots should have the option of not having there address listed.

No the guy is not seeking employment. But he made controversial and I believe specious claims regarding 9/11 and used his supposed status as an aeronautical engineer and commercial pilot to buttress his claims.

http://uncensored.co.nz/2010/08/15/nila-sagadevan-911-the-impossibility-of-flying-heavy-aircraft-without-training/

A good reason to make such licenses public is that charter company customers might want to check on the people flying them, asking the pilot to show you his license just before take off would be a bit awkward. I don’t see this as being analogous to a drivers license because (in the US at least) virtually every adult has the latter but only a small number (about 0.25%) the former. Unless the person doing the search would spend a lot of time entering random names they would enter names of people who claimed to be a pilot.

if fact the more I read why the OP wants the info , the more I feel this is not the place.
Perhaps the OP should go to the Police or the CAA if this person is working in the aviation industry and he thinks he does not have the required certs.

Overall the register with names and other professional data seems fine

In essence the register of names, relevant qualifications and certifications seems quite a reasonable thing.

As to whether personal addresses being published as opposed to an employment address is acceptable is a completely different matter of personal privacy.

In the UK I hope the database entries will be restricted to include employment addresses only and apart from someone who is self employed using their home as a business address there should be no problem.

In the case of pilots who may sadly be involved in an aviation incident the safety of their families becomes questionable if their home address is published.

Irresponsible journalism can hang, draw and quarter someone even before air accident investigators complete their work. Even if a pilot/s are found technically at fault their families and they deserve safety in any democracy.

Because I want to check someones claim to be a UK licensed pilot. I don’t believe him, he also claimed to have worked as a charter pilot in Alaska for about 5 years but is not licensed in the US and claimed to have an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, but they aparently never taught such a subject let alone offered degrees in it.

I agree that it makes sense that such a database be online but think the lincencee should have the option of not having their address listed.

lenbrazil………

Are you planning to employ the person concerned? If so you could reasonably ask him for sight of certificates/licenses or take up references. If you are not offering him employment, why do you need to know?

Planemike

I agree that it makes sense that such a database be online but think the lincencee should have the option of not having their address listed.

Yes and the licensee should be able to with hold their name as well as their address…………!!!

Databases of this type are just not a good idea. What price privacy??

Planemike

Yes, it does make sense to have a database of every pilot in the UK, but such a system already exists, and the Civil Aviation Authority knows who can legally fly in this country. Is there a need for it to be made public and abused though? I don’t think so. What about licences for car drivers? Should the DVLA provide access to a database of drivers in the UK, complete with their addresses? No.

If you hold a licence, I can think of only flying schools, employers and the CAA who might need to know that you are permitted to fly. Of course, that list could be added to, but the point I am trying to make is that the general public do not need access to such a database, especially if it is going to be abused. The member who started this thread stated that he wanted to use a database to check up on somebody he believes is lying – hardly appropriate use of such a service!

Data protection laws prohibit personal information being transferred overseas “without adequate protection”. Publishing such information online, which can be accessed as easily as the FAA database, would surely contravene these rules?

Having read the reason why the OP wants the info , I agree with you 100% , using the database like that IMHO is abusing the system.
If the OP has a problem with a pilot he should inform the correct athorites and not take matters in to his own hand.

Dont really see the problem , pilots have to be licenced so would make sence to have a database of it.

Yes, it does make sense to have a database of every pilot in the UK, but such a system already exists, and the Civil Aviation Authority knows who can legally fly in this country. Is there a need for it to be made public and abused though? I don’t think so. What about licences for car drivers? Should the DVLA provide access to a database of drivers in the UK, complete with their addresses? No.

If you hold a licence, I can think of only flying schools, employers and the CAA who might need to know that you are permitted to fly. Of course, that list could be added to, but the point I am trying to make is that the general public do not need access to such a database, especially if it is going to be abused. The member who started this thread stated that he wanted to use a database to check up on somebody he believes is lying – hardly appropriate use of such a service!

Data protection laws prohibit personal information being transferred overseas “without adequate protection”. Publishing such information online, which can be accessed as easily as the FAA database, would surely contravene these rules?

Why do you want to consult such a list? Seems rather a strange request.

Because I want to check someones claim to be a UK licensed pilot. I don’t believe him, he also claimed to have worked as a charter pilot in Alaska for about 5 years but is not licensed in the US and claimed to have an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, but they aparently never taught such a subject let alone offered degrees in it.

I agree that it makes sense that such a database be online but think the lincencee should have the option of not having their address listed.

I never knew of this facility until now and have just found myself on there – complete with home address – which I found a little surprising.

Would data protection in the UK not prevent the CAA from providing something similar?

Dont really see the problem , pilots have to be licenced so would make sence to have a database of it.
I work in security and have to have to have an SIA Licence and they have a database that you can search and see if the licence is current or revoked no personal info is given.

Why do you want to consult such a list? Seems rather a strange request.

I never knew of this facility until now and have just found myself on there – complete with home address – which I found a little surprising.

Would data protection in the UK not prevent the CAA from providing something similar?