Air NZ praises convicted pilot

Rob Fyfe. Photo / Brett Phibbs

An Air New Zealand pilot who did not tell authorities about three drink-driving convictions was described last night as a "model citizen" by the airline.

A 3 News report named the pilot as Warwick West, who was convicted of drink-driving in 1998, 2001 and 2007 and had one charge dropped in 2004.

The Government has called for a report on how West managed to conceal three convictions for drink-driving, and remain flying.

Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy said he had asked for a review of the systems for pilots to see if there was a need for alerts.

But on TVNZ's Close Up, Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe said West completed the airline's drug and alcohol programme after the charges were revealed.

"This pilot has never been under the influence of alcohol and drugs in the workplace. The issue we've got here is some drink-driving convictions which are of a big concern for us."

He trusted West had overcome any problems with alcohol, and had no issues with him remaining as a pilot.

"I have flown with him six times in the last 12 months."

Air NZ medical officer Tim Sprott said West entered the company's alcohol programme voluntarily.

"He's really become a model citizen through his recovery and rehabilitation through the programme.

"He's done so well that we're really looking at using him as an ambassador for the programme for our own employees."

West was prosecuted by the Civil Aviation Authority for not declaring his most recent conviction after police became aware of his occupation.

Sentencing notes from the CAA prosecution, obtained by 3 News, show he was convicted of drink-drive offences in 1988 and 2001 but did not disclose them in application forms for medical certificates between 1988 and 2006.

In August 2007, West was stopped by a police "booze bus" on Upper Queen St in central Auckland and found to have 1098 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 400mcg.

West did not notify Air NZ or his medical examiner about the incident, but when police became aware he was a pilot they reported it to the airline.

Its medical officer suspended West from flying.

In July 2008, he pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to a charge under the Civil Aviation Act to making a misleading statement and in December was convicted and fined $4250 and ordered to pay court costs of $130.

West had applied to be discharged without conviction so he could advance to flying long-haul routes and not have difficulty obtaining visas.

But Judge Allison Sinclair said that despite West's "unblemished" flying record, his failure to be honest raised potential safety issues and became a matter of public concern because he flew large passenger aircraft.