{
  "id": 11630246,
  "title": "Meet the air traffic controller who flies himself to work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/meet-the-air-traffic-controller-who-flies-himself-to-work",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T07:26:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/10/03/meet-the-air-traffic-controller-who-flies-himself-to-work"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Jake Hutzler, a 28-year-old air traffic controller, spends his workdays directing planes from an airport tower. Once a week, he trades his office for the skies of Colorado. To get to his workplace, Hutzler straps a propeller to his back and takes to the air on a paramotor. The 20-minute flight takes him over highways, water towers and finally the airport, where he keeps in touch with his colleagues at the tower. Hutzler finds the commute to be a unique experience, offering a bird's-eye view that few get to enjoy. His passion for flying began in childhood, but he never pursued a pilot's license due to financial constraints. However, his interest was reignited after watching a viral video of a man paramotoring to McDonald's. After training in 2021, Hutzler became an instructor and now balances his demanding career with his weekly paramotor commute.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Jake Hutzler, 28, is an air traffic controller in Pueblo, Colorado.",
    "Commutes to work weekly via paramotor, a 20-minute flight over city.",
    "Passion for flying sparked by viral video, pursued after 2021 training."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}