An RAF flying instructor has been fined £1,500 and severely reprimanded for flying low over spectators at the Open Golf Championship. Flight Lieutenant Marc Rodriguez flew a twin seat Grob aircraft during a training exercise in July last year and flew over Carnoustie despite it being a no fly zone. The 29 year old flew 400 feet above the 30,000 spectators, dipping particularly low over the 10th and 18th holes.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to a single charge of flying below 1,000 feet over a gathering of more than 1,000 people. The court heard that Rodriguez was trying to impress his student passenger and even dipped his right wing at times to get a better view.
Unbeknown to Rodriguez, the plane was being tracked by a spy satellite which took pictures of the aircraft, which helped to provide evidence during the trial. Although Rodriguez pleaded guilty, he maintained he had not known the golf course was declared as a no fly zone.
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Pilot Fined for Flying Over Open Golf Championship Fri, 18 Apr 2008 Recommended linksTop Sportswear RetailersTake Part in Golf Tournaments Leading Golf Courses Get New Golf Clubs Need New Golf Balls? Turkey to Build 100 New Golf Courses Westwood Calls for Universal Drug Testing Standards
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