Dear Dave:
Your article on “Private Airstrips Versus Nothing” (October/November 2012) was right on. I am the Wisconsin liaison for the Recreational Aviation Foundation, which you mentioned in the article as one of the country’s advocates for protecting private airstrips through the individual states’ Recreational Use Statutes (RUS).
Here in northwestern Wisconsin, we have a group of private airstrip owners and users that are in the process of working with elected officials in having our state’s RUS changed to include all non-commercial private airports, protecting the airport owners from any liability from any incident. The Wisconsin RUS presently includes ballooning and hang gliding, but not normal aviation activities. Our state assemblyman, Roger Rivard, has agreed to sponsor the amendment when the assembly goes back into session. What we need is the support of all the other private airport owners in Wisconsin to get this passed, so I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can help with this legislation change.
Chuck Aldrian
Wisconsin Liaison
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Birchwood, Wisconsin
caldrian@theraf.org
715-354-7002
Chuck:
What a wonderful opportunity for private airport owners in Wisconsin to unite. Please count me in on supporting your efforts, and I encourage all private airport owners to do likewise by contacting you without delay.
Also, please include us on your email list to receive any and all future announcements, including recommendations and a time line on contacting our state representatives.
For the names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of all state representatives, refer to http://legis.wisconsin.gov/
Dave Weiman
Midwest Flyer Magazine