Search for flight-sim software spurs visit from trooper

What are the potentials of a Flight Simulator program?

Be careful what you ask for is the lesson Julie Olearcek learned when she inquired about a gift for her son last week at a Staples store.

A seemingly innocent query for flight simulation software earned the Air Force Reserves pilot a visit to her home from State Troopers, according to local reports.

Olearcek was looking for a computer game that her son could use to practice flying an aircraft, just like the ones flown by his mother and father, who is also an active-duty pilot. After searching the aisles for something that didn't involve fighting to no avail, Olearcek asked a sales clerk.

"He was alarmed by us asking how to fly airplanes and said that was against the law," said Olearcek, according to The Recorder, an online news site. "I said I couldn't imagine that, but, because (the clerk) was a little on edge ... I left."

A few hours later, a State Trooper showed up at Olearcek's house incognito, shining a flashlight through a sliding door and tapping on the glass.

Olearcek was frightened at first, but the State Trooper identified himself and asked Olearcek if she had inquired about the video game. She said she had, and then showed her military ID. "At first I felt like, 'Wait a minute, this is America.' But we also have to understand it takes everybody to pay attention," Olearcek said.

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