sj
Staff member
Northwest Arkansas
If you decide to land on a private airstrip and you damage your airplane, who is liable? What if you are invited to land on a private strip and you bend something on your plane. Who is liable? In this article we will explore some general information about landing on private airstrips.\
In the early days of aviation emergency landings were common. Fortunately there was more farmland and open space, than there were cities. When an early aviator was forced to ‘drop in’ unexpectedly they were likely to get welcomed with pie and coffee.
It is different now. The airspace is crowded, sometimes you can’t avoid flying over highly populated areas and airplanes are reliable. We don’t worry too much about having to make an emergency landing. We just have to be on the lookout for a spot just in case the unthinkable happens. That’s why those little circles on the sectional, the ones with the ‘R’ inside can be so important.
Each one is a private strip carved out of a farm, forest, or rangeland. 2,000 to 3,000 feet of green carpet waiting to catch you, when your airplane is turned into a glider. These restricted air strips are a possible resource to all of us who take to the air in light aircraft. The landowners who build and maintain these strips share a common interest in aviation, likely own an airplane and use it. For example In a 150 square mile chunk of northern Illinois, I counted 21 private airstrips and three public. Sometimes the private fields are tough to spot from the air. Especially in the Midwest where everything is green.
Let’s take a look at it from the airstrip owner’s point of view. If you land without prior permission, like in an emergency, the landowner is protected from liability as if you were a trespasser. But what if permission has been granted? All states have Recreational Use Statutes (RUS) that deal with liability issues in favor of the landowner. Typically, they give liability protection to landowners even when permission is granted for non-commercial, recreational purposes. Many states define recreational uses, such as bird watching, hunting, snowmobiling, etc. Other states contain a broad and inclusive definition that covers all recreational activities. Essentially these statutes place the risk on the person enjoying the activity. Of course, the landowner must not act negligently, or “with malicious intent” which nullifies liability protection. Landowners may allow hunters on their land to eliminate pests. Or just to be a good neighbor and share their land with others. The intent of these statutes is to relieve them of liability so that they may offer their land for recreational use. It is a win for all parties including the recreation industry. People in states like Illinois – and in many eastern states with very little public land – benefit greatly since more land is available for recreation.
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has made it priority to specify “aviation” in many state’s RUS to clarify the limits of liability. The ultimate objective is for landowners to feel more comfortable allowing pilots to use their airstrips.
The next time you are planning a leisurely flight, find a little circle with an ‘R’ in the middle, look up the owner and give him or her a call. Introduce yourself and get to know them, especially if you fly in the area often. If you should get an invitation to visit take them up on it. Pick up a box of doughnuts and go meet a fellow aviator. You will enjoy the experience.
When you fly out west where there is an abundance of public land, you’ll see a combination of private and public airstrips, some of which are supported by the RAF in its ongoing effort to preserve, maintain and create public use, recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide. These strips are there for you to enjoy and you will see some eye-popping scenery. In the Midwest the RAF has also been hard at work opening up airstrips for your use and enjoyment. Contact the RAF for more information on air strips and recreational use.
Consider supporting the RAF. Think of it as becoming a part of the other part of aviation – a safe and desirable place to land.
Mike Purpura, RAF Illinois Liaison
mpurpura@TheRAF.org
www.TheRAF.org
In the early days of aviation emergency landings were common. Fortunately there was more farmland and open space, than there were cities. When an early aviator was forced to ‘drop in’ unexpectedly they were likely to get welcomed with pie and coffee.
It is different now. The airspace is crowded, sometimes you can’t avoid flying over highly populated areas and airplanes are reliable. We don’t worry too much about having to make an emergency landing. We just have to be on the lookout for a spot just in case the unthinkable happens. That’s why those little circles on the sectional, the ones with the ‘R’ inside can be so important.
Each one is a private strip carved out of a farm, forest, or rangeland. 2,000 to 3,000 feet of green carpet waiting to catch you, when your airplane is turned into a glider. These restricted air strips are a possible resource to all of us who take to the air in light aircraft. The landowners who build and maintain these strips share a common interest in aviation, likely own an airplane and use it. For example In a 150 square mile chunk of northern Illinois, I counted 21 private airstrips and three public. Sometimes the private fields are tough to spot from the air. Especially in the Midwest where everything is green.
Let’s take a look at it from the airstrip owner’s point of view. If you land without prior permission, like in an emergency, the landowner is protected from liability as if you were a trespasser. But what if permission has been granted? All states have Recreational Use Statutes (RUS) that deal with liability issues in favor of the landowner. Typically, they give liability protection to landowners even when permission is granted for non-commercial, recreational purposes. Many states define recreational uses, such as bird watching, hunting, snowmobiling, etc. Other states contain a broad and inclusive definition that covers all recreational activities. Essentially these statutes place the risk on the person enjoying the activity. Of course, the landowner must not act negligently, or “with malicious intent” which nullifies liability protection. Landowners may allow hunters on their land to eliminate pests. Or just to be a good neighbor and share their land with others. The intent of these statutes is to relieve them of liability so that they may offer their land for recreational use. It is a win for all parties including the recreation industry. People in states like Illinois – and in many eastern states with very little public land – benefit greatly since more land is available for recreation.
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has made it priority to specify “aviation” in many state’s RUS to clarify the limits of liability. The ultimate objective is for landowners to feel more comfortable allowing pilots to use their airstrips.
The next time you are planning a leisurely flight, find a little circle with an ‘R’ in the middle, look up the owner and give him or her a call. Introduce yourself and get to know them, especially if you fly in the area often. If you should get an invitation to visit take them up on it. Pick up a box of doughnuts and go meet a fellow aviator. You will enjoy the experience.
When you fly out west where there is an abundance of public land, you’ll see a combination of private and public airstrips, some of which are supported by the RAF in its ongoing effort to preserve, maintain and create public use, recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide. These strips are there for you to enjoy and you will see some eye-popping scenery. In the Midwest the RAF has also been hard at work opening up airstrips for your use and enjoyment. Contact the RAF for more information on air strips and recreational use.
Consider supporting the RAF. Think of it as becoming a part of the other part of aviation – a safe and desirable place to land.
Mike Purpura, RAF Illinois Liaison
mpurpura@TheRAF.org
www.TheRAF.org