Pilot publishes book and documentary on plane fumes danger
10.12.07
In a new book a plane crashes at Newcastle Airport after its pilots breath in toxic chemicals and pass out at the controls. The author of the book, a former pilot, feels it is only a matter of time before it happens in real life, and has made a documentary to accompany the book.
Former pilot Tristan Loraine, 45, retired through ill health last year after repeated exposure to air contaminated by jet engine oil affected his ability to fly. He was given a £200,000 pay-out and used a large amount of the cash to publish a book called Toxic Airlines and to finance film a documentary - Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines - set at Newcastle Airport.
Mr Loraine, from Horsham, West Sussex, near Gatwick Airport, flew in and out of Newcastle Airport regularly during his career. He claims he suffered varying degrees of contamination on at least 75% of the Boeing 757 flights he piloted and that he once had to carry out an emergency landing at the airport because the fumes were so overpowering.
He said: 'I flew as an airline pilot from the age of 17 before retiring last December as a result of exposure to contaminated air during my career. I started writing the book when I was sick, to tell the world this story. Twelve doctors have said I am ill from contaminated exposure. If I am not safe to fly how can the airlines say there is not a problem?'
'I was given £200,000 from the airline I worked for and immediately used it to set up the film production company to tell the world what is going on. The documentary will have a limited release at the cinema and has received some fantastic reviews.'
Mr Loraine wants the airlines to fit filters and warning systems on planes. He said: 'There is no detection system on the planes, yet some of these chemicals are odourless. There should be a warning. Most homes have smoke or carbon monoxide alarms. Crew and passengers are being exposed to this every time they fly and are not told anything.'
'People in the aviation industry have known about this for 40 years and have been covering up. The Government knows about this but they are just protecting the aviation industry's interests. I know pilots who tell me they are not well but they have got to pay bills so they just carry on flying.'
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