BRISTOL—Announcing his latest book launch, motivational speaker Gary Norell compared life to a helicopter, admitting, “I don’t know how to operate a helicopter, but that won’t stop me from taking off.” While inspiring to some, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reportedly issued a safety notice, advising citizens against life choices that include unauthorized flight attempts.
The seminar featured a live helicopter in the auditorium, where Norell encouraged participants to “get behind the controls of their destiny.” Attendee Jenny Marks confessed, “I felt empowered, until I realized Gary might actually think this thing flies. I’ve never seen an audience exit so quickly.”
In a final twist, Norell revealed plans for a reality TV show titled “Soaring to Success,” prompting TV networks to initially express interest. However, they retracted offers after a producer clarified, “It turns out the concept involved real helicopters and zero qualified pilots. It’s inspirational until propulsion becomes a factor.”