Well, it seems astronauts aren’t the only profession that can go bad. Well known Aussie political cartoonist Larry Pickering has been charged with flying a helicopter while drunk:

Pickering, 64, has been charged with four offences under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

It is alleged that on April 8 last year the great-grandfather piloted a helicopter within eight hours of drinking alcohol.

Pickering, who appeared in good spirits when he appeared at Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, is also charged with low flying and operating a helicopter over water.

Pickering is blaming just who everyone would think to blame: the media. He says a TV network tricked him into flying the chopper after watching him drink three beers at lunch.