AOPA Airport Support Network
South Dakota Airports & Volunteers

AOPA Airport Watch Program
Security Checklist: Use your eyes and ears to keep our airports safe.

Here's what to look for:

• Pilots who appear under the control of someone else.
• Anyone trying to access an aircraft through force — without keys, using a crowbar or screwdriver.
• Anyone who seems unfamiliar with aviation procedures trying to check out an airplane.
• Anyone who misuses aviation lingo — or seems too eager to use all the lingo.
• People or groups who seem determined to keep to themselves.
• Any members of your airport neighborhood who work to avoid contact with you or other airport tenants.
• Anyone who appears to be just loitering, with no specific reason for being there.
• Any out-of-the-ordinary videotaping of aircraft or hangars.
• Aircraft with unusual or obviously unauthorized modifications.
• Dangerous cargo or loads — explosives, chemicals, openly displayed weapons — being loaded into an airplane.
• Anything that strikes you as wrong — listen to your gut instinct, and then follow through.
• Pay special attention to height, weight, and the individual's clothing or other identifiable traits.

Use your common sense.
Not all these items indicate
terrorist activity.

When in doubt, check it out!
Check with airport staff or call
the National Response Center
at 1-866-GA-SECURE!

South Dakota Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has several squadrons in South Dakota, which are listed below. The SD CAP Wing is headquartered in Rapid City.
For more information about the CAP go to http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/
For more information about the South Dakota CAP, go to http://www.sdcap.us.

South Dakota Wing, and its ten Squadrons across the state, are organized in a rapid response structure, ready to meet the needs of the U.S. Air Force, the State of South Dakota and local government.

The civilian volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol meet in regular local meetings, train in their local air and ground teams and in statewide exercises using the Incident Command System, and serve the public in a variety of programs and activities. Most South Dakota units are "Composite Squadrons," offering both the CAP Senior Program and the Cadet Program youth organization.

Go to http://www.sdcap.us/squadrons.shtml to learn more about the location of CAP squadrons in South Dakota and contact information and meeting times and places:

• SD Wing Headquarters, Rapid City, 605-393-4215, E-Mail: southdakotaga@gmail.com
• Aberdeen Composite Squadron, Aberdeen
• Rushmore Composite Squadron, Rapid City Airport
• Pierre Composite Squadron, Pierre
• Sioux Falls Composite Squadron, Sioux Falls
• Big Sioux Composite Squadron, Brookings
• Lookout Mountain Composite Squadron, Spearfish
• Crazy Horse Composite Squadron, Custer

South Dakota EAA Chapters

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has four active chapters in South Dakota.

• For more information about EAA, go to http://www.eaa.org.
• For more information about EAA Chapters, go to the Chapter Locator: http://www.eaa.org/chapters/locator/

Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA)

SDPA became a member of the AAAA in March 2010.

AAAA was formed in 2007 as a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 5,500 members including individuals, businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.

The goal of AAAA is to protect this economic lifeline to rural and small communities, which a crucial resource for business, medical care, disaster relief and a key transportation asset to residents in isolated areas.

To accomplish those goals, AAAA supports:   

• Modernizing the Air Traffic Control System with Satellite Technology.
• Rejecting “User Fees” in any Form.
• Opposing Unworkable and Counterproductive Provisions of TSA’s “Large Aircraft Security Program” (LASP).
• Supporting Rural America through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Essential Air Service (EAS). 

To join AAAA, go to http://www.aviationacrossamerica.org/ and click on “Join Now.”