Regional Affairs

Private airstrip owners could get liability protection

Private landowners who don't charge the public to use their airstrips for recreational purposes could be protected by a limited liability law if the Montana legislature passes Senate Bill 318. The bill seeks to add landowners of airstrips for "private, noncommercial flying" to the protections under the state's recreational use statute. Last week, AOPA Northwestern Regional Representative Mike Ferguson testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the bill. The committee later passed the bill by a margin of 7 to 5. AOPA believes this bill would encourage landowners to maintain their airstrips for the public, which would in turn preserve the number of landing sites for recreational and emergency purposes. A similar law was enacted in Idaho last year.

February 9, 2007