In Kansas, suspects fly the friendly skies

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- In one Kansas county, authorities have taken to the skies to move inmates.

Sedgwick County has a sheriff's airplane, a move that officials say has saved taxpayers big money over the years.

The department says flying has saved taxpayers about $3 million since 1986.

Pilot Steve Saffell says he keeps a Taser tucked by his seat in the cockpit and a handgun holstered underneath his right arm. As pilot of the Sedgwick County sheriff's airplane, Saffell's passengers are usually wearing handcuffs and leg irons.

Neither he nor Nathan Bevis, the county's other deputy pilot, have ever had to pull a weapon at 25,000 feet while returning people wanted on felony warrants to Wichita.