Yet when an amateur with a Robinson R-44 in Utah goes out on his own dime....without any government support or blessing and does good deeds, instead of being called a hero, finds himself called up on the carpet by the FAA.
Jeremy Johnson did such a thing during some flooding recently, went out in some very rotten weather, rescued a family and later gave joyrides to rise money for the family which had lost everything they owned. He took not one cent for giving the rides instead asking merely for donations to the family.
I have written to the newspaper reporter and suggested just what a rotten deal that was and noted that I surely hoped the FAA would understand the value of mercy in Jeremy Johnson's case.
Last night I sent an e-mail to the HAI suggesting he would be a very good candidate for any honours they could provide. I told them that in my view, Johnson displays the attributes of a "Real Helicopter Pilot" by being willing to assist his neighbors and community in times of need.
I would think there are others, who after researching that story, will do the same thing if they agree with the account given by the news people.
