Charlotte County Sheriff's Office helicopter pilot sees low flying aircraft in Port Charlotte; arrest made.

Charlotte County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Port Charlotte man for flying his aircraft very low over Port Charlotte last night. Around 9 p.m., the CCSO pilot and a pilot volunteer were flying an aerial patrol and observed a small red and white airplane flying about 500 to 600 feet off the ground in the general area around Promenades Mall and the two hospitals.

The helicopter pilot followed the aircraft back to Punta Gorda Airport. The pilot, Jayde Keith Machado, 20, 1160 Aletha Avenue, landed, and the CCSO helicopter hovered over his small plane to get the tail number. The helicopter then landed at the hangar and Machado approached the CCSO pilots. He complained about “blowing grass and crap into my plane.” A road patrol deputy was called and talked with Machado who declined to make any statements. He was arrested and charged with Operating an Aircraft in Careless or Reckless Manner, and transported to the Charlotte County Jail. Machado was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.

Photo of pilot:  http://www.facebook.com/notes/charlotte-county-sheriffs-office