Brief Incident Ends Peacefully

ANN APRIL 1st "SPECIAL" EDITION: Aero-News recently obtained the official transcript of an incident involving a pilot at AirVenture 2008 and local police (no... not THAT incident), accompanied with verified photographic confirmation of the weird and rather humorous encounter. Below is a portion of the unedited transcript.

OSHKOSH POLICE INCIDENT REPORT CRON/08/777-345-A
DATE 27 JUL 2008
TIME 0612 CDT

• OFFICER: "Dispatch, Car 54... we're in pursuit of a red-and-white aircraft, license November-3-3-4-Romeo-Alpha proceeding north on Main several miles-per-hour below the posted limit."
• DISPATCH: "Car 54, understood, must be an LSA. Proceed with caution... verify aircraft is flying over Main?"
• OFFICER: "Negative Dispatch, aircraft is on the ground, now turning west on Church."
• DISPATCH: "Roger that, are you in need of backup?"
• OFFICER: "Affirmative, suspect has not responded to our sirens and lights. Though I must say, he is following the street centerline straight as an arrow."
• DISPATCH: "Roger, all cars in the vicinity of Church and Main, proceed to intercept ground-taxiing aircraft, approach from behind."

Several minutes then pass...

• OFFICER: "Dispatch, suspect has pulled over and has opened the canopy. We're communicating now."
• DISPATCH: "Understood Car 54, what is suspect's condition and attitude?"
• OFFICER: "Suspect is calm and rational, and says he received permission from local officials to taxi the aircraft to be displayed on the town square throughout the show at Wittman."
• DISPATCH: "Oh! Um, yeah, Car 54, that is correct, I've just been informed of same. Please proceed with escort."
• OFFICER: "Wilco. Wow, things sure get nutty around here during that air show..."

ANN also spoke with the pilot, who asked not to be identified. He told us the officers were very friendly, and quite helpful once they established he was operating the aircraft on the street with the full blessing of city leaders.

"Two officers even asked to have their photos taken with the aircraft, in front of the Winnebago County Courthouse," he said. "I was a little nervous, but they allowed me to go on afterward."

FMI: www.cops.com