Haas' jet pilot son visits GR

Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas' son Eric was passing through town and dropped in to say hello to his parents on Tuesday — but he did it in a fighter jet.

U.S. Air Force Major Eric Haas flew his F18 into Gerald R. Ford International Airport to refuel. Major Haas and two Canadian pilots, captains in the Canadian Air Force, were on a training and transport mission from Canada, where Haas is stationed, to Kansas.

The landings drew considerable attention at the airport, where the planes did a fly-over prior to landing for refueling.  U.S. Customs & Border Patrol officials met the planes, as did airport security and about a dozen interested onlookers, including local news media.