New York proposal to provide liability protection for private airstrips
May 11, 2011, 01:05 pm
A new proposal by the Recreational Aviation Foundation would create legislation to indemnify or protect owners of private airstrips from liability in connection to the use of those airstrips for public recreational purposes, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
According to AOPA, RAF estimates show about 260 private airstrips that pilots could have access to, should this bill be passed. Increasing pilot access may not only be beneficial for pilots themselves, but may also enhance the ability of aviation to contribute to the state.
"Recreational activity benefits the local economy, especially in sparsely populated areas with few municipal or privately owned, public-use airports," said Craig Dotlo, AOPA northeast region representative. "New York state has indemnified private property for other types of recreational use, such as snowmobiling. The state is being asked to add noncommercial aviation to the list of recreational uses that area indemnified."
Though this proposal would open up a significant amount of land for pilots and allow them access to more remote areas, private airstrips can also sometimes be less well-maintained and contain certain hazards not present at public landing sites.
Though pilots could always benefit from having pilot life insurance coverage, those who may engage in risky flying practices on a regular basis may have even more reason to seek coverage.
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