Busted By The FAA, Freeman Serves Out Suspension Time

Aviator and occasional movie-star Morgan Freeman is again exercising his priveleges as an airman. Our friends at the World Entertainment News Network checked in with him and confirmed that the star of a number of very popular films is back doing something that he really loves... flying.

Freeman was busted in late 2004 for an altitude deviation while flying though the very busy and very demanding airspace around non-GA friendly Teterboro airport. The FAA went after him aggressively and rather than allow for what would have made sense in such circumstances, namely remedial training, they insisted on a license suspension. The FAA was trying to ramrod a 90 day suspension, but reportedly settled with Freeman on a 45 day hit.

Freeman noted that, "They wanted to give me a 90-day suspension. I said, `I'm just learning how to fly and 90 days is too long not to fly.' My lawyers got involved and they agreed on a 45-day suspension and asked me when I would like to take them."

"I thought that was fair because it is important to keep current - too much time off flying is not good; it's not like riding a bicycle. You can get back and fly the airplane but it's always better where you can reach for the right instrument without thinking about it."

"So I did my 45 days when I was working and I couldn't fly anyway. They sent my license back and now I'm flying again."

Welcome back Morgan, y'all keep a sharp on your altitude -- and keep a sharper eye out for the Feds...

FMI: www.wenn.com, www.imdb.com/name/nm0000151