Attempted To Get Commercial Rating Based On Inflated Hours

A pilot who attempted to get his commercial rating without having flown the requisite number of hours to enter the program was sentenced to four years probation for falsifying his logbook. Fahad Nabeel Hussein Al-Daous, who holds joint U.S. and Saudi Arabian citizenship, pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FAA.

The 33-year-old Iowa resident and stay-at-home father presented the falsified logbook to a pilot examiner at the Ottumwa, IA, airport in May of 2011, according to a report from the Associated Press. He had obtained his instrument rating at the airport, and was attempting to enter a program for a commercial rating. The discrepancies were uncovered when the flight school compared his log book and billing records, and found that he had not actually made many of the flights he had logged.

Falsifying a record such as a logbook can carry a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine not to exceed $250,000. But at the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John Jarvey agreed with defense attorneys that Al-Daous had committed fraud, but had not intended to put the public at risk, had no criminal history, never flew beyond his qualifications, and was remorseful for his actions. He is reportedly raising his three children while his wife completes her education.

His airman privileges have been revoked, and he may not apply for a pilot certificate as a condition of his probation.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ca8.uscourts.gov/iowa.htm