Government Advocacy
Alaska law protects volunteers who operate airstrips
Alaska law protects volunteers who operate airstrips
Alaska depends on aviation and aviation depends on the individuals who own, operate, and maintain the state’s small private and backcountry airstrips. Now, after more than two years of work by AOPA and other aviation advocates, a new law protects those volunteers from many civil liability claims.
State lawmakers recently passed, and Gov. Sarah Palin signed, S.B.139, clarifying that those who own and operate airstrips without receiving compensation have the same protections as the volunteers who build and maintain runways.
“The new law provides critical protection to a vital component of Alaska’s aviation network,” said AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Greg Pecoraro. “Such protection encourages volunteers to preserve and maintain landing strips that provide access to public land and safe landing options for pilots. We appreciate the work of Sens. Donald Olson and Charlie Huggins in cleaning up this law.”
February 21, 2008
February 21, 2008
