RAF Instructor Fined for Buzzing Pro Golfers

Royal Air Force (RAF) flight instructor Flt. Lt. Rodriquez (pictured above) plead guilty last week during a court martial hearing regarding his low altitude stunt flight with a student pilot on board over an Open golf championship at Carnoustie in Scotland. Reportedly, Rodriguez brought his Grob trainer to around 400 feet AGL and buzzed 30,000+ people who had gathered to watch the golf action. The area was protected by a temporary "no fly" zone, although Rodriguez was conveniently unaware of said restriction (regardless shouldn't common sense kick in?).

Rodriguez was no slouch pilot either, he had accumulated over 1600 flight hours, including time logged as part of a refueling coalition over Iraq. Also, it turns out Rodriguez was an avid golfer. He was fined 1,500 British pounds ($2951.40 USD). The funniest part is that, unknown to Rodriguez, a spy satellite was tracking his flight and recorded every movement, cementing his fate.

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