AOPA works to protect pilots

AOPA works to protect pilots
South Dakota governor signs criminal code revisions retaining aircraft theft and air piracy

Thanks to AOPA's efforts, pilot and South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds signed into law on Tuesday a comprehensive revision of the state's criminal code that retained the specific crimes of aircraft theft and air piracy.

AOPA's government and technical affairs team discovered that the original bill (Senate Bill 43) would have eliminated those specific crimes regarding aircraft, making it more difficult to prosecute aircraft theft. The association sprang into action, notifying South Dakota officials of the possible negative impact to general aviation pilots.

AOPA Central Regional Representative Bill Hamilton also communicated with South Dakota legislative and administrative officials for nearly four months to ensure that the crimes regarding aircraft theft and air piracy were retained.

March 24, 2005