grounded Pilot who lied on his CV to get a job at British Airways is jailed

A pilot who flew for BA CityFlyer, as well as ex-Irish regional airline StobartAir, has been jailed after it was discovered that he lied on his CV in order to get a job at British Airways. 

Craig Butfoy (49) entered false details and changed entries into his flight log in order to lie about his flight experience.

Butfoy, from Kent, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Court in London this Monday (28 March), after he admitted to being guilty of two breaches of the Air Navigation Order (2016) and four counts of fraud at a previous hearing, the CAA said.

Butfoy said that he had flown 1,610 hours as a captain on his job application to work for the BA CityFlyer, based out of London City Airport.

He worked for the two airlines between April 2016 and March 2018.

The court papers also stated that Butfoy had made up further details on his CV, including that he’d held a private pilot’s licence since 1998, and had submitted false documents such as a training course certificate.

The CAA’s general counsel Jonathan Spence said: “The Civil Aviation Authority’s prosecution and the sentence imposed show that offences of this kind are taken very seriously by the Civil Aviation Authority and the courts.

“Pilot integrity is at the heart of aviation safety and we will take all steps necessary to maintain that position.”

British Airways insists that there was never any danger to passengers, and the pilot had a full pilot licence and certification.

The investigation, they said, pertained only to incorrect references and information provided by Butfoy.

BA added that Butfoy was suspended immediately and has not flown for them in several years.

On each flight there are two pilots, so he would never have operated on a flight alone, the airline also said.

It also pointed out that the company has worked closely with the CAA since then allegations were made.

A statement from British Airways reads: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and the fully qualified pilot was suspended and an investigation launched as soon as BACityFlyer became aware of discrepancies in his employment record.

“At no point was there any risk to customers or colleagues.”