He shoots ..he soars

ENGLAND soccer ace Michael Owen is taking helicopter flying lessons...after splashing out pounds 2million on his own chopper.

The striker - who broke his foot in Newcastle's 2-0 defeat at Spurs yesterday - wants a pilot's licence so he can fly himself to the Toon ground for games and training. Owen, 25, whose wife is pregnant with their second child, hopes the new skill will give him more time with his family and less time travelling.

He is hoping to build a pounds 20,000 heli pad in his three-acre garden in Northop, North Wales. He is believed to have started the lessons - which cost pounds 150 for 30 minutes - in the last few weeks at a nearby airstrip.

Last night a source close to the player said: "Michael had to make a basic lifestyle choice over whether he spent more time in Newcastle or move his whole family closer to his work. The helicopter gives him the best of both worlds. He can go to a training session and then jump in the chopper and be home with his wife and two-year-old daughter in 45 minutes."

Owen bought an eight-seater twin-engine Eurocopter Dauphin in October. Initially he planned simply to hire a pilot to fly him on the 190-mile trip to work and back. But if he passes his exams and gets in his flying hours he could get his pilot's licence in a matter of months.

r.hamer@sundaymirror.co.uk

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