Amendment Protects Owners Of Private Airports In The State

It took two years, but thanks to the leadership of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and the efforts of several supporters, Wisconsin’s Recreational Use Statute (RUS) was amended to include noncommercial aviation.

RAF Wisconsin State Liaison Chuck Aldrian reports that there are 177 private airports in the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics database and many more that have not been registered with the FAA. “The new language in the law protects owners of these private airstrips,” Aldrian said, adding that the RAF wishes to thank Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc. (AOPA) and a number of the private airstrip owners, especially Don Kiel for working hard contacting many Wisconsin State representatives. Also helpful was Jonathon Harger, Political Affairs Director of EAA in Oshkosh who testified at hearings for both legislative houses.
 
The bill was sponsored by Senator Joe Leibham (R) in the Senate and Representative Paul Tittl (R) in the Assembly, and garnered bi-partisan support. Governor Scott Walker signed the bill April 17th in the Capital Office.

(Pictured: RAF Wisconsin Liaison Chuck Aldrian (in RAF orange) stands behind WI Governor Scott Walker as he signs the bill into law on April 17, 2014)

FMI: www.theraf.org