Regional Affairs

Air rescue pilots get liability shield

Air rescue volunteer pilot Alfred Banholzer will have liability protection for himself and his family the next time he’s called out to use his Cessna 172 to help locate a missing person or downed aircraft in Washington. The state legislature has passed S.B.6324, which extends liability coverage for volunteer ground personnel to air rescue pilots. Last year, the state passed a bill that covered all ground personnel but unintentionally omitted aerial support. “From a personal standpoint, it protects me and my family from any suit that could come out of the search,” he said. Read more on AOPA Online.

March 14, 2008