Autistic boy thrilled at helicopter name gesture

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A Sea King helicopter on Portland has been named after one of its biggest fans. Eight year old Finley Eckersley became so obsessed with watching helicopters at the HeliOperations training school, he was invited for a tour of the site by base manager Mick Sherry. Shortly afterwards, the CEO Steve Gladston agreed to formally name one of the aircraft, XZ920, 'Finley'. The designated helicopter will fly to Bournemouth for a respray on Monday 18th January 2021, returning a fortnight later with 'Finley' stenciled on its fuselage. Reporter Laurence Herdman from BBC Radio Solent chatted to 8 year old Finley on Zoom with mum and dad, Becky and Chris, and HeliOperations base manager Mick Sherry.