Jonathon Vondracek, a commercial pilot and CFI, pled guilty on June 12 in U.S. District Court, Tampa, Fla., to falsifying his FAA airman medical application. 

An investigation revealed that the Veteran's Administration (VA) had awarded Vondracek, a U.S. Navy veteran, an 80-percent medical disability benefit for a series of medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vondracek failed to disclose these medical conditions, as well as his disability benefits, on three separate FAA airman medical certificate applications.

The investigation further determined that Vondracek did not actually suffer from COPD. As part of his plea agreement, Vondracek will make restitution in an amount not to exceed $51,237 for the COPD disability benefits. 

This guilty plea represents the second time in just over a month that a licensed pilot has pled guilty to records falsification.