Pilot with fake license flew more than 900 flights over 17 year career

A former airline captain has been charged with seven offences after allegedly operating 900 flights over a 17-year period, without holding the required pilot license.

Geoffrey Wall, 59, from Ontario, Canada, faces counts of fraud, document forgery and possession of counterfeit marks following an investigation by Peel Regional Police.

According to authorities, Wall began falsifying his credentials in 2009 when he was promoted to the role of pilot-in-command with Air Canada - a role requiring an airline transport pilot licence under Canadian aviation regulations.

The fraudster had served as a pilot with Canada's flag carrier for 27 years, having joined the airline in 1998, according to Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich of Peel Regional Police.

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Following his promotion to captain, the pilot allegedly began his career-long deceit, holding only a valid commercial pilot licence, insufficient for commanding aircraft.

From 2009 onwards, Wall is said to have piloted various Boeing aircraft on both domestic and international journeys, earning millions of dollars whilst lacking the proper certification.

The discrepancies came to light last year when routine checks identified irregularities with the captain's documentation - triggering an inquiry by federal transport authority, Transport Canada.

Deputy Chief Milinovich said: "This is very similar to a doctor that is licensed to practice family medicine, but is doing brain surgery in their office."

The senior officer described how perpetrators of such schemes can become highly skilled at concealing the trail of breadcrumbs, and often avoid being rumbled.

"It is not uncommon for fraud to continue for years and years," DC Milinovich added.

"Eventually it catches up to you, and that's when we get involved," he said, noting that offenders often become highly skilled at "deceit and trickery".

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Air Canada claimed passengers were never in danger throughout the period in question, pointing to the airline's requirement for all pilots to complete competency training every six months.

The carrier stated it had voluntarily disclosed the matter to Transport Canada as soon as the allegations surfaced last year, at which point Wall was immediately suspended from flying duties.

In a statement, the airline said it "takes this matter with utmost seriousness", and confirmed it had conducted a comprehensive review of its pilot workforce - which uncovered no similar issues.

The charges were formally brough about on June 1, with Wall due before the court on June 29.

The scandal adds a stain to an already ruffled Air Canada, after CEO Michael Rousseau announced he will retire by the end of September after uproar over the English-only condolence video he recorded after the fatal March 22 crash of an Air Canada Express flight at New York LaGuardia.

The jet collided with an airport fire truck as it was crossing the runway, with the two pilots - captain Antoine Forest and first officer Mackenzie Gunther - tragically killed.

Mr Forest hailed from the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec, with Air Canada also headquartered in Montreal.

Mr Rousseau's near four-minute condolence speech was delivered in English with French subtitles, with Prime minister Mark Carney claiming the video "displayed a lack of compassion".

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