1 month ago
69-Year-Old Man Flies Helicopter to Shop, Says Drive Too Long
A 69-year-old man in Wisconsin wanted to go shopping at an outdoor store called Cabela's.
He did not want to sit in a long car ride on the highway.
So he did something most people would never do: he flew there in his own helicopter.
He landed the helicopter right in the store's parking lot.
People nearby were very surprised to see a helicopter land at a shopping center.
A sheriff's deputy came to talk to the pilot and make sure everything was okay.
The pilot had a proper license and followed all the rules for flying helicopters.
No laws were broken and nobody was arrested.
The officer said it was just a fun and unusual way to go shopping.
Many people online laughed about the story and shared their own funny flying stories.
A 69-year-old man from Rosendale, Wisconsin, flew his personal helicopter to a Cabela's outdoor supply store because 'the drive was too long.'
He landed the helicopter in the Cabela's parking lot in the Village of Richfield, stunning onlookers and local authorities.
Washington County Sheriff's deputies responded and confirmed the pilot was properly licensed and complied with all applicable FAA regulations.
The incident ended with no violations and no arrests, with the sheriff's office calling it 'a unique way to make a shopping trip.'
Social media users reacted with surprise and amusement, sharing similar stories of helicopters landing near shops.
- Who
- A 69-year-old man from Rosendale, Wisconsin
- What
- Flew his personal helicopter to a Cabela's outdoor supply store and landed it in the parking lot to avoid a long highway drive
- Where
- From Rosendale to the Cabela's in the Village of Richfield, Wisconsin
- When
- Not specified in the article
- Why
- Because he said driving on the highway took too much time
Key facts
- Pilot
- 69-year-old resident of Rosendale, Wisconsin (identity not revealed)
- Transport
- Personal helicopter
- Destination
- Cabela's outdoor supply store
- Landing spot
- Parking lot in the Village of Richfield, Wisconsin
- Reason
- The drive was too long
- Responding agency
- Washington County Sheriff's Office
- Outcome
- No violations, no arrests
- Compliance
- Properly licensed; all applicable FAA regulations followed
Quotes
Social media user
Anonymous commenter reacting to the helicopter landing
“"I hope the operator of the copter took a photo of the sign indicating he was in lot C so he could find it when he was done shopping."”
NDTV
“"Kudos to this gentleman! I too would be flying everywhere if I had my own helo."”
NDTV
Unidentified 69‑year‑old pilot
Pilot who flew to Cabela’s in a helicopter to avoid a long drive
“"the drive was too long"”
NDTV









