Driving convictions?

[MarkColeman]

Hi,

Im planning on enrolling in a flight school in January but i have a conviction for careless driving...can anyone tell me how this will affect me career wise as a pilot?

The incident is in no way related to DUI - it was an excessive speed issue. All the info ive gotten seems to point towards it not being a problem as there was no intoxification involved.

Can anyone shed some light on the situation for me?

[WAFlyBoy]

Perhaps it will be dropped from your record by the time you are ready to apply for a job that requires a driving record check.

[bLizZuE]

I have heard from fellow pilots that they had issues like this on their driving record, yet they had 'fallen off'. So when asked in an interview if he had any driving issues, he decalred no. They found out about the incidents that had 'fallen off' and he wasn't offered a job.

* I believe they were also non DUI related items, such as speeding tickets, IIRC.

So I don't know, but I would be honest about it.

[Kristie]

what i've heard thru past threads is that if asked, just be honest and tell them bout it...whether or not it's on your record.

[Minnesota_Flyer]

One careless driving shouldn't hurt you.

Failing to disclose it, if asked, will. Remember, just because it "dropped off your record" doesn't mean an airline can't find out about it.

[Persian_Pilot]

I got about 8 tickets when I was 16. Haven't gotten any since then ( 4 years now ). I was told that I should be ok since it's been a long time as long as i don't recieve any more tickets). Hmm Just make sure that you tell them about it.

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by MarkColeman

Hi,

Im planning on enrolling in a flight school in January but i have a conviction for careless driving...can anyone tell me how this will affect me career wise as a pilot?

I'll defer to the others on the career issue.

Be aware, however, that the reckless driving conviction =may= be reportable on your medical application in item 19(v). Reckless driving is handled in different ways in different states, and sometimes within a state. If yours involved license suspension or attendance at a driving school program, it's reportable on the medical app, even if it was =no= alcohol or drug related.

If you were represented by an attorney, I'd show him a copy of what a FAA medical app looks like so he can look at the instructions and advise you on whether your conviction meets the definition of reportable ones, or have an aviation lawyer look at your court papers. This might be a good time to think about joining the AOPA Legal Service program - I'd think the free 1/2 hour consult on this would be well worth the annual fee.

As others pointed out, the single event will probably not have a career effect, but an FAA certificate action for "falsification" for failing to make a required disclosure on a medical app can make a mess you probably don't want to deal with.

[MarkColeman]

Thanks for the input folks,

As reguards the medical application issue, im actually based in Ireland and the conviction is an Irish one - therefore im going for a JAA medical which is certainly very similar to an FAA medical however there are some differances - the JAA medical only queiries DUI convictions and makes no mention of 'careless driving'.

I found out today that Ryanair (Irelands largest carrier) don't consider a 'careless driving' conviction a disqualifying offence when appointing new pilots which is a relief, as graduates from my school mostly end up there.

Thanks again and anyone with first hand experience of careless/reckless driving charges relating to their career in aviation please let me know

[Persian_Pilot]

Originally Posted by MidlifeFlyer

I'll defer to the others on the career issue.

Be aware, however, that the reckless driving conviction =may= be reportable on your medical application in item 19(v). Reckless driving is handled in different ways in different states, and sometimes within a state. If yours involved license suspension or attendance at a driving school program, it's reportable on the medical app, even if it was =no= alcohol or drug related.

If you were represented by an attorney, I'd show him a copy of what a FAA medical app looks like so he can look at the instructions and advise you on whether your conviction meets the definition of reportable ones, or have an aviation lawyer look at your court papers. This might be a good time to think about joining the AOPA Legal Service program - I'd think the free 1/2 hour consult on this would be well worth the annual fee.

As others pointed out, the single event will probably not have a career effect, but an FAA certificate action for "falsification" for failing to make a required disclosure on a medical app can make a mess you probably don't want to deal with.

Hi,

Do you have any info about AOPA legal Service? I wouldn't mind speaking with an Aviation lawyer sometimes.

Thanks,

[Bandit_Driver]

Originally Posted by Persian_Pilot

Hi,

Do you have any info about AOPA legal Service? I wouldn't mind speaking with an Aviation lawyer sometimes.

Thanks,

http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/lsp/

Hope this helps...

[Persian_Pilot]

Thanks man

[Bandit_Driver]

No Problem...