08-30-2009, 10:50 PM
CLERMONT, Fla. (Aug. 29) - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a helicopter ride that a central Florida father arranged for his teenager's first day of school.
According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office report, Bart Sutherin flew his 14-year-old son, Joseph, to his first day of classes at East Ridge High School in a rented blue-and-white Hughes 300 helicopter this week.
Sutherin landed the helicopter safely behind some portable classrooms on the east side of the campus, but he didn't clear the flight with the Lake County school district officials and sheriff's office first.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Sutherin told officials that he wanted to "make a positive impression on the other students" on his son's first day of ninth grade. The newspaper reports a deputy called the FAA after Sutherin's flight.
Although the FAA still is looking into the matter, an official said Sutherin likely isn't in trouble because he landed the aircraft safely and "in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations."
---
Damn! If only I got to ride to school in a helicopter, I might have not been picked on so much!
According to a Lake County Sheriff's Office report, Bart Sutherin flew his 14-year-old son, Joseph, to his first day of classes at East Ridge High School in a rented blue-and-white Hughes 300 helicopter this week.
Sutherin landed the helicopter safely behind some portable classrooms on the east side of the campus, but he didn't clear the flight with the Lake County school district officials and sheriff's office first.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Sutherin told officials that he wanted to "make a positive impression on the other students" on his son's first day of ninth grade. The newspaper reports a deputy called the FAA after Sutherin's flight.
Although the FAA still is looking into the matter, an official said Sutherin likely isn't in trouble because he landed the aircraft safely and "in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations."
---
Damn! If only I got to ride to school in a helicopter, I might have not been picked on so much!
