A TEENAGE pilot who flew so low over York that frightened householders could read his registration number is now in the RAF, a court heard.

Four people from Dringhouses reported Lee Robert Hodgkinson, 19, from Strensall, during his flight in September last year.

York magistrates heard that Hodgkinson, who has since joined the RAF, circled well below the legal low-flying limit because he had lost his positioning. He admitted a charge of flying too low above a built-up area, and was fined £300 with £493.97 costs.

James Robinson, prosecuting on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: "Four complaints from alarmed residents were made to the police, as the pilot circled well beneath the legal limit of 1,500 feet. One resident alleged he had flown within 100 feet of buildings, but this is very difficult to judge.

"In any case, all four residents were able to read the registration number, which means he was flying too low."

Mr Robinson said Hodgkinson had held a pilot's licence since summer 2001, and had been flying the aircraft with a friend above York.

When getting close to the city, he lost his visual reference point, the railway line, as the tracks converged around York Station. In order to try to recover his positioning, Hodgkinson admitted to descending below 500 feet above the suburb of Dringhouses.

The court heard that at the same time, Hodgkinson noted a microlight aircraft in the area.

In order to avoid the smaller craft the young pilot decided to remain at the low height, completing several circles above the rooftops to allow the other aircraft to leave the area.

It was at this point the complaints were made.

Mr Robinson said: "The residents were confused as the plane was apparently circling above their homes for no good reason."

When asked to defend himself, Hodgkinson said: "My employer has briefed me that I will not be able to comment any further."

Updated: 11:52 Friday, April 11, 2003