CBS 58 speaks with the Wisconsin man who flew helicopter to Cabela's because 'the drive was too long'
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Wisconsin man taking a trip to Cabela's apparently thought it was too long by car, so he took a helicopter, instead.
"It's no different than taking your snowmobile in the winter and going to a restaurant and getting something to eat," said the pilot, 69-year-old Dennis Pipping, of Rosendale.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, around 6 p.m., a Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy responded to the Cabela's in Richfield for a report of a helicopter landing in the parking lot.
Dennis Pipping walking to his helicopter, with the Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual in hand
The deputy made contact with Pipping and learned he had flown to Cabela's because, "the drive was too long." If Pipping would have driven from Rosendale to Richfield, it would have taken about 50 minutes. But by helicopter? Less than 20!
"Well, part of it is for fun, and the other part is a lot faster," explained Pipping, on his decision to fly.
According to the sheriff's office, the pilot was properly licensed, landed safely and complied with FAA regulations. He was not arrested or cited.
The sheriff's office says the incident was just a "unique way to make a shopping trip to avoid all the roundabouts in front of Cabela's."
"The first time I stopped at Cabela's, went in to do some shopping, came out, and there was like 30 cellphones staring at me and saying, "Wow, that is so cool!' Yeah, so it's almost all the time it's good reactions." -- Dennis Pipping
Pipping says he flies his helicopter, a Robinson R44, several times a week. Sometimes, it's to get to his work on various farms around the country as part of Pipping Concrete. But other times, like this Saturday, it's for fun.
"Ever since I was a kid, I think. I remember I was about 5 years old and laying down on the kitchen floor like Superman, you know, and praying to God. I said, 'If you're real, make me fly,'" shared Pipping. He's had his private pilot's license since 1984, flying planes for decades. But within the last year, he's bought a helicopter to aid in his business.
"I find that I check on my crew a lot more than I used to because I can get to the job site and get back in a fraction of the time with the helicopter."
The pilot's neighbors say helicopter sightings are common. Robert Coehorn has lived in the area for over 30 years, saying the helicopter usage is sporadic -- sometimes several times a day, to a few times a week.
Coehorn said if he had a helicopter himself and could avoid traffic, he too would likely fly it to go shopping. "Because it'd be fun and convenient," he added with a laugh.
"This isn't your everyday parking complaint," the sheriff's office said.
Pipping commented on our social media post about his trip to Cabela's, saying he's been flying since 1984. He says if he thought it was dangerous, he wouldn't have landed, and the parking lot had no cars around.
He had with him his FAR/AIM book (Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual), explaining he had read through it before flying to Cabela's, pointing out the regulation 9119, "Which says that we're totally different in a helicopter than an airplane, we can fly lower. We can land anywhere as long as it's not any hazard to people or property on the ground."
He thanks everyone for the positive comments, saying with a chuckle that it's "unbelievable" all the attention he's gotten.
Pipping said he's spoken with Cabela's management, who said they're okay with him flying his helicopter there as long as next time, they get to take a trip too.