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Man Flies Helicopter to Cabela’s Just to Shop
Wisconsin Man Flies Helicopter to Cabela’s Because "The Drive Was Too Long"
Imagine skipping traffic by flying your own helicopter to go shopping. That’s exactly what one Wisconsin man did!
The Story in Simple Terms
A 69-year-old man from Rosendale, Wisconsin decided he didn’t want to drive 50 miles to the Cabela’s store in Richfield. So what did he do? He flew his helicopter and landed right in the parking lot!
What Happened: Step by Step
- Saturday, August 1st, around 6:00 PM – The pilot lands his helicopter in the Cabela’s parking lot at 1 Cabela Way, Richfield.
- Someone calls the police – Witnesses see a helicopter landing at a store and call 911.
- Deputies arrive – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office sends officers to check it out.
- They talk to the pilot – The 69-year-old man explains: "The drive was too long."
- Everything checks out – He has a valid pilot’s license, followed all FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) rules, and landed safely.
- No trouble at all – The sheriff’s office confirms: No violations. No arrests. Just a creative shopping trip!
Important Points to Remember
THIS WAS 100% LEGAL
- The pilot had a valid license
- He followed all FAA regulations
- He landed safely and properly
- Police confirmed no laws were broken
- The sheriff’s office even joked: "Just a unique way to make a shopping trip to avoid all the roundabouts in front of Cabela’s."
Why This Is Actually Pretty Cool
| Normal Way | His Way |
|---|---|
| Drive 50 miles | Fly 50 miles |
| Sit in traffic | Soar above it |
| Navigate roundabouts | Land in the parking lot |
| ~1 hour drive | ~20 minute flight |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Can anyone land a helicopter at a store?
No! You need a pilot’s license, permission from the property owner, and you must follow strict FAA safety rules. This pilot had all of that.
Was he in trouble with the police?
Not at all. The deputies checked his paperwork, confirmed he followed every rule, and sent him on his way. Zero violations. Zero arrests.
How far did he fly?
About 50 miles – from Rosendale to Richfield, Wisconsin.
Why did he do it?
His exact words: "The drive was too long." He also wanted to avoid the roundabouts near the store.
Is this common?
Nope! This is very unusual. Most people drive cars to Cabela’s. The sheriff’s office called it a "unique way to make a shopping trip."
Summary
- Who: A 69-year-old licensed pilot from Rosendale, WI
- What: Flew a helicopter to Cabela’s in Richfield
- When: Saturday, August 1st, ~6:00 PM
- Why: "The drive was too long" + avoiding roundabouts
- Result: Completely legal, safe, and no one got in trouble
- Bonus: The sheriff’s office has a sense of humor about it!
Want to See It?
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office shared a Facebook Reel of the incident. You can watch it here:
Facebook Reel Link
Article based on reporting by Kelli Arseneau | Updated August 3, 2026, 1:25 PM CT
Contact: karseneau@gannett.com | @ArseneauKelli on X
