Two Pilots Land On A Frozen Lake, On Purpose, But Found They Shouldn't Have

Here's another good example of why flight planning is so important. Two pilots who landed their airplanes on frozen Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis face fines of up to $1,000 ... because aircraft are not allowed on Minneapolis park property.

The two pilots and one passenger landed ski-equipped Champs, one a 7AC and the other a 7FC, at the north end of the lake to grab a classic $100 hamburger at Burger Jones, a popular lakefront restaurant. Minneapolis television station WCCO reports that when they returned to their aircraft, Minneapolis Park Police were waiting for them, and issued each pilot a citation.

The pilots, identified by police as Michael Doherty of Le Sueur, MN. and Hans Meyer of Burnsville, MN, told the police they were ready to depart immediately, but the FAA was called to inspect the planes and be sure both pilots were properly licensed.

The citations issued were for illegal landing, which carries a fine of up to $1,000. The station reports that landing on other frozen lakes outside the Minneapolis city limits is not only allowed, but common in the winter months. The moral of the story is check to see if you're allowed to land where you intend to land.

FMI: www.minneapolisparks.org