Impersonating Certificate Airman

[pilotman2105]

Impersonating a Certificated Airman ?

Anyone who watches me fly might suggest that I am guilty of that.

The guy that I flew with today is most likely guilty of that, too.

Pardon me while I go and drink away that experience.

Gin and tonic anyone?

 

[lawfly]

A person acting as a dispatcher would be in violation of FAR 65.51 if that person did not have a Dispatcher license/certificate. Was the offender acting as a dispatcher? E.g., Signing dispatch documents, etc. Did he/she "exercise responsibility with the pilot in command in the operational control of a flight"? (65.51) Did everyone know who the flight's real dispatcher was and was that person's identity reflected in the paperwork? Just looking at presumably the 65.51 analysis.
And, yes, as the originator apparently already knows, a dispatcher is considered an "airman". Part 65 relates to "Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers" and includes air traffic control tower operators, dispatchers.

 

[A Squared]

Did he/she "exercise responsibility with the pilot in command in the operational control of a flight"? (65.51) Did everyone know who the flight's real dispatcher was and was that person's identity reflected in the paperwork? Just looking at presumably the 65.51 analysis.

No, as I understand it, the person claimed to be a dispatcher in order to get a jumpseat. He wasn't signing flight releases or anything like that.

 

[lawfly]

I was just approaching "impersonation" from a different direction. As in that movie I never saw ("Catch Me If You Can", I think it was called.) But, yeah, the post seems to limit the impersonation to obtaining jumpseat access, not actually dispatching flights. Seems a security-related issue. TSA? FAA? And internal airline policy/procedure. I don't know much about jumpseat privileges. (Except that I don't have any?) Would like to know if anything more comes of this particular incident. As to any of the persons involved.

 

[twabudman]

the Dispatcher has started the ball rolling......she contacted the FAA via Whistleblower Act/TSA/OSHA....will keep you posted as to developments

 

[lawfly]

Impersonating a Certificate Airman

Don't know what a dispatcher's duties are regarding jumpseaters. Whether she had some responsibility for identifying/screening the jumpseater. Anyway, she should consider a legal consult. Is there a union? They might be able to refer her to someone. Not saying there is any basis for legal action--I don't know. There might be. I've done a little airline-related employment law, but nothing like this. So, not suggesting myself.