Pilot Makes His First Hole-in-One While Flying a Helicopter

ABF Newswire: March 8, 2026

A pen and ink drawing of a helicopter flying away from a power plant in the distance. A rushed drawing with a mixture of permanent and water soluble black inks to create a wash with lines intact, then I added some red and yellow wash. I didn't have a plan and wanted to play with ink. This turned into a movie-poster style with the helicopter the main focus; not planned, poorly executed. Had fun with it.

Image Credit: My Id and Ego.

I had fun with this. Didn't think about it. Played with ink and brush. Why do I let myself get too... what's the word? Fixated? Obsessive? Whatever. I get too fixated on the outcome and forget to enjoy the process. Right? I had no plan with this. All I wanted to do was play with pen and ink and see what happens. Obviously a plan and some skill would result in a more polished piece. But fuck it. I need to focus on the fun of this. I get better through practice and practice doesn't have to be super structured and serious. I need to remember that. Also, there needs to be some sort of transition between the helicopter and other parts of the scene. I can learn from this.

West Virginia. March 8, 2026 (ABF Newswire) A hole-in-one wasn't part of Stringfellow Hawke's flight itinerary for a routine passenger journey. And when his copilot Dom Santini bellowed "score!" over the radio, Stringfellow was a bit confused. After all, the aerial tour of the client's coal-fired powered plant didn't include a flyby of a golf course.

"We were on a routine flyby of the power plant because the client wanted to inspect the smoke stacks," related Stringfellow. "On a second pass, I guess I banked a bit too steep and lost the client who apparently wasn't strapped in."

"Lucky for us, the client requested video, and our chopper's 360 video pod was conveniently angled just right to capture the incredible shot," shared copilot Dom. "The boys back at the hangar will get a kick out the footage."

Dom then joked to Stringellow, "golf etiquette states you're buying!"

We asked Stringfellow if he was aware that he shared a name with a 1980's action TV show character who also flew a helicopter. "I was born in 1996. I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied.

The deceased was a wealthy coal entrepreneur. His super PAC spent $47 million over four years funding the campaigns of nine congressional candidates who each, once elected, publicly called for the EPA to "modernize" its air quality standards. The word "modernize" meant weakened limits on mercury and other toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants. Toxic emissions from coal- and oil-fired plants can harm the brain development of young children and contribute to heart attacks and other problems in adults. Which is an acceptable risk because his coal mines and power plants became more profitable with less regulation. The residents near the plants aren't as fortunate.