Florida Deputies Check Out Ultralight

From the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in Punta Gorda, FL:

Some of the area media reported on an incident report from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office concerning a multi-colored parachute-style ultra-light aircraft (file photo of genre, below) flying several times over the Punta Gorda water plant and dam area. The Chief Operator at the plant made the report to deputies Monday morning saying there was an orange-red-blue and yellow ultra-light flying over the facility. A witness said the pilot was taking photographs of the facility.

Many calls from concerned citizens to the Sheriff's Communications have been received today from residents expressing concern about the suspicious pilot report.

Upon subsequent investigation, Sheriff's Department detectives located the pilot. He is new to the area, an ultra-light pilot, lives near the water treatment plant and flies over the area routinely. The pilot said he was not photographing the facility, but was waving at people on the ground during his pass over of the area on Monday. He told detectives he would not fly over the area in the future.

Ultra-light aircraft can frequently be seen every day over Charlotte County. There is also a local flying club of ultra-light and experimental pilots. It is not an unusual occurrence and no reason to become upset or panic over seeing such aircraft. The Sheriff's Office says residents should report such activity in the future if they suspect something suspicious over sensitive facilities.

FMI: www.ccso.org