Posted on 08/04/2026 6:32:00 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
RICHFIELD, Wis. — A 69-year-old man flew a helicopter from the Rosendale area to a Cabela’s store in Richfield on Saturday evening because “the drive was too long,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.
A sheriff’s deputy responded about 6 p.m. to a report that a helicopter had landed in the Cabela’s parking lot in the Village of Richfield.
The deputy contacted the pilot, a 69-year-old Rosendale man, who said he had flown to the sporting goods store. The drive from Rosendale to Richfield takes about 50 minutes.
The sheriff’s office said the pilot was properly licensed, landed safely and complied with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations. He also answered the deputy’s questions about helicopter-landing requirements.
“We can honestly say this isn’t your everyday parking complaint,” the sheriff’s office said.
No arrests were made, and no violations were issued.
Robinson R44?
“I found a neighborhood near Huntsville, Texas with a landing strip in the middle of it and each house had a hanger next to it. Strange, but whatever lifts your wings.”
Those are called Airparks vs trailer parks. They are common or were in the 70/80s there are two that I know of in Collin County, one in Frisco where a plane crashed into the street in front of home depot at Custer and Virginia Parkway. There is another near Denton and one right next to where the new arena is going in willowbend at the Dallas North tollway and the Bush.
The runways show up clearly on Google earth.
“I wonder if the FAA has any objections?.............”
91.119 is what you seek grasshopper.
The FAA allows helicopter landings in congested areas under 14 CFR § 91.119 when necessary, provided the operation creates no hazard to persons or property, follows specific routes or altitudes, and complies with local zoning rules.
General Altitude and Landing RulesExemption for Landing: The standard 1,000-foot height limit over congested areas does not apply when an approach or landing is necessary.No Hazard
Standard: Pilots must execute the landing without causing danger to people or structures on the ground.Administrator
Routes: Pilots must obey any specific local routes or altitude rules set by the FAA for helicopter operations.Operational and Local RequirementsPhysical
Safety: The landing site must offer safe ground clearance for main and tail rotors, level terrain, and clear approach paths.Local Laws: City codes, property permissions, and municipal permits often dictate where temporary or private helipads can be set up in populated zones.
The more you know 😊
Appears to be.
I see the local Tourist Trap has raised their prices:
https://www.destinhelicopters.com/
“Wasn’t he required to file a flight plan?
I think if they’re under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) a flight plan is not required. Open to correction.”
There is no such animal as a official VFR flight plan.
Flight plans exists for IMC only and are flown under IRF flight rules.
I hold both a PPL with the H on top of fixed wing and instrument ratings for both.
As long as there was city or county ordinances against helo ops he is good. I dropped into prosper Texas outside their city limits as Collin County doesn’t regulate helo ops the uber grabed us just outside the city limits and by just i mean less than 100 feet by GPS.
We had one crash here a few months back.......No fatal injuries thank God........
BRAVE AI:
On June 12, 2025, a touring helicopter crashed on the runway at Destin Executive Airport in Destin, Florida, injuring all four people on board. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the injuries were non-life-threatening, with the pilot and one passenger sustaining serious injuries and the other two passengers receiving minor injuries.
The NTSB preliminary report identified the cause as a loose bolt from the cyclic servo that backed out during takeoff, causing the helicopter to lose control and dive into the ground. Investigators also noted that other bolts on the aircraft were only hand-tight, and the helicopter was leased by Higgins Leasing Inc. of Texas.
“Robinson R44?”
100% Robinson
95% R44
The R66 looks nearly the same and its so new not many around so almost surely a R44
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But I’m pretty sure it’s 1,000 feet.
This is why most suburbs and municipalities have regs against helo ops inside their limits its billed as “noise” ordinances, but it’s for downwash causing damages and FOD especially.
For the class this is exactly what not to do.
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/y4DF6Xs2RnM
It’s my understanding Cabela’s has closed the Sidney NE store, the town where the company got its start. If so, that’s disappointing. My family & I stopped there on the way back from a Black Hills vacation back in the 90s. It was long before their expansion and also before Bass Pro Shops expansion. My first BPS store experience was 1999 at their flagship store in Springfield MO.
91.119 allows for helos and helos alone to close inside 1000ft for take off and landing or for necessary flight ops provided the PIC assures the actions and flight path do not cause any hazards to people or structures in the ground.
I posted the regs up thread.
“...Costco on the weekends...”
I think that’s one of Dante’s Circles of H#ll! ;)
Good Golly, I’m RIGHT!
Limbo
Lust
Gluttony
Greed
Weekends at Costco
Wrath
Violence
Fraud
Treachery (still being held in reserve for Hillary Rodham Clinton)
It’s still there right next to their corporate HQ.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nxi1pEYj7qdddrGdA
I would love to fly into the Allen Cabelas but Allen would arrest you if you are not in their privileged class of govt officials, leo,fire,ems, or get a temporary permit via political grift or connections.
Yes I have beef with Allen corrupt F’ers
When I had my other farm, we had a neighbor that was into that and he used our very long road through the Back Forty to take off and land. Very fun.
We also had a large Hot Air Balloon land there; it had mechanical troubles, but they were able to fix it quickly once their crew showed up and off they went.
They want me to pay for a helicopter ride? I used to get paid to do that ...
I always wanted an autogyro.
Here the prior post was all messed up in format.
Under 14 CFR § 91.119, FAA criteria allow helicopters to operate and land in congested areas below standard minimum altitudes, provided the operation creates no hazard to persons or property on the surface, and complies with specific local routes, zoning laws, and pilot-in-command safety judgments. [1, 2, 3]
General Flight and Landing Rules
• Exemption for Landing: Helicopters may fly below the standard 1,000-foot/2,000-radius congested area minimum altitude when it is necessary for takeoff or landing.
• No Hazard Standard: The entire approach, hover, and touchdown must be conducted without creating a hazard to people or structures on the ground.
• Emergency Capability: Pilots should choose flight paths that mitigate risk in the event of an unexpected engine failure, even during low-altitude maneuvering. [5, 6]
Local and Physical Requirements
• Site Suitability: The landing zone must provide a level surface, adequate clearance for main and tail rotors, and freedom from loose debris or hazardous obstacles.
• Local Approvals: Operations must respect municipal ordinances, local zoning codes, property permissions, and specific helicopter routes designated by the FAA Administrator. [1, 3]
I LOVE The Container Store! I take no offense.
But you know what’s even BETTER? The same company owns TCS and Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are remodeling a lot of their stores (each one is as big as a football field it seems) to have BOTH STORES in the SAME LOCATION!
This little chickie (and me!) is REALLY going to have something to be happy about, then! :)
I saw one of the videos of World Cup tourists when they saw a Container Store. They almost couldn’t believe it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.