$600 Fine, Probation for Low-Flying Pilot

The pilot of a small airplane that “buzzed” participants in last spring’s Hands Across America line was placed on two years’ probation and fined $600 after pleading no contest Tuesday to a misdemeanor violation of the Public Utilities Code.

Thomas Arato, 38, of West Hollywood, was sentenced immediately by Municipal Court Commissioner Juelann K. Cathey.

The district attorney’s office said Arato flew a rented, four-seat Piper Cherokee about 300 feet above crowds participating in Hands Across America at several locations in the Los Angeles area May 25. The legal minimum height is 1,000 feet above the ground, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lonnie Felker said.

Hands Across America, in which thousands of people joined hands in a line across the country, raised $12 million for agencies helping the hungry and homeless.