Robert Kadera's son was running late for his tennis lesson, so Robert did what any good dad would do.
He flew him there.
In March 2008, the 66-year-old Lake Villa man and his 14-year-old son hopped in Kadera's four-seat airplane and headed for the Lincolnshire tennis club.
However, the club doesn't provide airplane parking, so Kadera had to find somewhere else to land his single-engine Piper Clipper: the seventh hole of the nearby Crane's Landing golf course.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, and neither the snow-covered golf course nor the ski-equipped airplane was damaged.
Police caught up with the father and son as they were walking to the tennis club.
Kadera pled guilty Wednesday to disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, the latter of which could have brought a maximum six-month jail term.
Local
Lake County Judge Charles Johnson decided not to punish Kadera with any jail time, but Kadera was sentenced to 18 months of court supervision, a $500 fine, and 60 hours of community service work.
Kadera is still subject to action by the Federal Aviation Administration and has been ordered to stay away from the golf course.
There is no word on whether the boy ever made it to his tennis lesson.
Matt Bartosik, editor of Off the Rocks' next issue, admits that he often runs late.
