A Rather British Response.

So, you’re an Army helicopter pilot, your girlfriend is on manouvres, you have a regular training flight to do, so, grab a pizza and drop it in to her out in the field, right? Unfortunately:

But the 25-year-old pilot inadvertently landed the £3 million Lynx helicopter near Sandhurst's commandant, Major General Andrew Ritchie, who was conducting a surprise field inspection.

Cadets found themselves covered in dust and flying debris.

Although the general is said "not to have noticed", it is believed that one of his adjutants asked for the identity of the pilot.

So now you are in serious trouble, what is the reaction of the authorities?

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence added: "Although it was not the greatest of crimes, it is important to emphasise that the Army does not tolerate infractions of this kind."

And your punishment?

The officer has been punished with extra weekend duties, drastically reducing his chances of seeing the object of his affections for the foreseeable future.

Now I’m no military man but there seems to be something terribly sensible about this. Hotdogging pilot (it’s part of the job description) abuses the system to see his bird, punishment is not being able to see his bird. Plus, presumably, a life-time in the mess of being referred to as Pizza Boy. It’s a long time since I lived in the UK but this just seems to be so pragmatic, so terribly British a response, the sort of attitude we could do with a great deal more of.