William Anderson, 66, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court this week accused of multiple aviation offences, including flying an unregistered aircraft within 500 feet of the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, endangering life. The alleged incidents occurred between August 1 2023 and May 31 2024 at various locations across Scotland.
Details of the Allegations
Anderson is accused of piloting an unregistered aircraft less than 500 feet above the National Wallace Monument, a popular tourist attraction. He also faces charges of recklessly flying at approximately 20 feet above Culross Pier in Fife, and over a footpath with adults and children nearby. Other allegations include flying parallel to a railway line at head height, less than 500 feet over an oil tanker on the Firth of Forth, and entering Edinburgh Airport's controlled airspace without clearance.
Additional Offences
The charges further claim Anderson performed unauthorised landing and take-off at Linlithgow Golf Club, endangering persons and property at the 18-hole course. He is also accused of landing a microlight on a public road in front of a moving vehicle before taking off again, and crashing a microlight into power lines. Anderson is alleged to have been in command of a Denney Kitfox single-engined aircraft and a Pegasus Quantum 15 microlight at Linlithgow Golf Course without valid certificates of airworthiness, and acting as flight crew without a licence.
Court Proceedings
At the procedural hearing, Anderson, of Woodhead Mine, Bo'ness, West Lothian, made no plea. His solicitor, Alastair Ross, requested a debate to determine the admissibility of some video evidence. Sheriff Keith O’Mahony continued the case until July 28 for legal debate. Anderson’s bail was also continued by Sheriff O’Mahony.
