Airline pilots suspended after letting CHILD sit in Captain's chair and fly plane
TWO airline pilots have been suspended after letting a 10-year-old boy sit at the cockpit and fly their plane.
Air Algeria pilots allow young boy to FLY plane
Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black waistcoat and trousers and donning a captain’s hat, the eager youngster was invited to sit in the captain’s seat mid-flight on the Air Algeria plane.
In a video of the incident, the young boy can be seen handling the controls and pushing buttons on the flight between Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport and Setif Regional Airport.
The young boy was allowed to fly the plane
Speaking after the flight, the pilot said: "He was very disciplined, calm and attentive. I am sure he will be a good pilot.”
And in a report broadcast by the Algerian channel Al Bilad TV, the pilot explicitly states that the child was able to manipulate the aircraft - in strict violation of all civil aviation regulations.
The pilots even gave the young boy a tour of the different parts of the plane, pointing out the mechanical workings of the wheels and examining the jet's exterior before take off.
The pilots took the boy to inspect the plane before takeoff
The pilots let the boy play with the controls mid flight
He was very disciplined, calm and attentive. I am sure he will be a good pilot.
And the youngster, who hopes to one day become a pilot, was even instructed how to operate the complex cockpit.
As soon as the images and videos were released, the two pilots in charge were suspended from duties pending an investigation into the incident.
It is unknown whether the pair will face any formal criminal charges for their actions.
It is believed the invitation was part of a project for orphans
The ten-year-old was invited to seat in the captain's chair in the cockpit
It is unclear why the child was able to sit in the captain’s seat and handle controls during the commercial flight.
But some reports suggest the invitation was part of an initiative to support orphans and that the 10-year-old was representing the project.