While many politicians enjoy “fact-finding” trips to far-flung places during their vacations, Georgia Gov. Ervin “Sonny” Perdue has been staying closer to home and using his free time to obtain a helicopter pilot rating. Perdue already held single, multi-engine and commercial fixed-wing pilot ratings. In July he passed his helicopter check ride in a Robinson R44 after logging 66 hours of combined dual instruction and solo time under the tutelage of instructor Ron Carroll. Perdue says he plans to work on additional helicopter ratings. Good thinking. In today’s volatile political climate, every elected official needs a back-up plan.