Police are on the hunt for a conman who faked his pilot's licence and posed as a commercial pilot for eight months, flying passenger airliners into London's Gatwick Airport.

Michael Fay, 59, is now on the run after failing to turn up to a court for sentencing on a fraud charge, and police think he may have fled the country.

Formerly a US Air Force pilot, Fay worked for Libya's national carrier Afriqiyah Airways, under false certification, The Telegraph reported.

Getty Images An aerial view of Gatwick Airport, where Fay is believed to have landed at least eight Airbus A320's.

As well as faking his commercial licence, he also faked the medical certificate required.

Fay, an American who settled in Alton, Hampshire, was only discovered after a fellow pilot became suspicious of his qualifications while chatting to Fay on an internet forum.

The colleague alerted airline authorities and Fay was arrested on February 3, 2011.

Reuters FAKE PILOT: Formerly a US Air Force pilot, Fay worked for Libya's national carrier Afriqiyah Airways

He was sentenced to three years prison in absentia at Winchester Crown Court on May 3 this year, but is now the subject of an international manhunt, with authorities fearing he would be seeking more flying or instructing work elsewhere.

Detective Constable Chris Thorne, from Hampshire Police, told The Telegraph Fay was "clever and resourceful" and "clearly shows no concern for public safety if he's willing to work without the correct licences and medical certification".

"He targeted Libyan aviation at a time when the country's political and economic standing was vulnerable and volatile," Thorne said.

"Had it not been for the quick thinking of a genuine pilot on the internet forum, Fay may have continued to put the public at risk in this manner unnoticed."

Throughout his time at Gatwick, he was believed to have landed at least eight Airbus A320's at the international terminal.

Medium-range A320 jets seat 144 passengers in two classes.

Authorities around the world have been alerted to Fay's crimes.