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Trump not allowed to use personal helicopter

President’s two Sikorsky S-76 choppers are no-go due to Secret Service security rules

By AP 10 April 2017, 8:08 am

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A personal helicopter of President Donald Trump sits on the helipad at Mar-a-Lago, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

PALM BEACH, Florida — US President Donald Trump can only look at the personal helicopter parked on the front lawn of his Mar-a-Lago resort. As far as going for a ride in it, he’s grounded.

The Secret Service says standard security protocol requires the president to fly on either Air Force One, a jumbo jet, or Marine One, a helicopter. The agency says Trump was never on the helicopter.

It’s hard to miss: The Sikorsky S-76 carries Trump’s name in bold red print on the tail and step, and his personal family seal. The billionaire-turned-president owns two.

The helicopter appeared Sunday on the newly paved helipad of Mar-a-Lago, then left a few hours later. The White House didn’t respond to questions about the reason the helicopter was there.