A New Zealand airline pilot who fainted repeatedly during layovers in hot climates has been told he can't fly any more, local media reported Friday.
Air New Zealand pilot Geoff Paterson had been battling for four years to return to flying after being grounded following his most recent fainting episode in February 2002, the Dominion Post newspaper reported.
The veteran pilot had fainted three times in 12 years while standing on the ground in hot weather when he was tired. The report didn't say where he'd fainted.
Wellington District Court Judge Peter Butler ruled Thursday that while the chances of Paterson fainting during a flight were low, it could happen.
The finding ended the man's flying career, and Paterson, a Boeing 767 pilot with 27 years' experience, later said he accepted the decision.
Paterson's medical expert testified his client had an extremely low risk of fainting while flying because the earlier episodes had all happened on the ground.
If he did faint while flying at least one pilot - and two on long-haul flights - would be on hand, all trained to cope if one of the crew became incapacitated, Paterson told the court.
An international expert in aviation medicine and related cardiology told the court that if Paterson fainted, it would impair aviation safety.
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