South Dakota Pilots Association

Other South Dakota Aviation Organizations

Alliance for Aviation Across America

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.”



South Dakota Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

South Dakota AOPA


The AOPA Great Lakes Regional
Manager: Kyle Lewis
Phone: 301.695.2229 | Cell: 740.418.8950
Email: kyle.lewis@aopa.org
Web site: http://www.aopa.org/

AOPA Airport Support Network
South Dakota Airports & Volunteers (updated February 2022)

ID Airport Name
ABR Aberdeen Kayla Herman
BTN Britton Mark Wismer
7G9 Canton Peter Larsen*
HSR Hot Springs Don Conner
MHE Mitchell Todd Shannon*
RAP Rapid City Jerry L. Densmore*
FSD Sioux Falls (Joe Foss Field) Eric John Steen
8D3 Sisseton Terrence H. Jaspers*
SPF Spearfish Ray Jilek*
VMR Vermillion Kim McLaury*
6E5 Wilder / DeSmet Dwayne LaFave*
ATY Watertown Scott Campbell*

* SDPA member
Footnote: Please consider volunteering as an ASN volunteer at your airport.



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!



Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

Commemorative Air Force (CAF)


Joe Foss Squadron
Sioux Falls, SD
Squadron Leader: Chris Geringer
Email: cafjoefoss@gmail.com
Aircraft: Stinson L-5 "Bugsmasher"
Joe Foss Squadron website: https://www.cafjoefoss.org/
National website: https://www.commemorativeairforce.org/

Joe Foss Squadron Commemorative Air Force

CAF Mission: The CAF was founded to acquire, restore, and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. More than just a collection of airworthy warplanes from the past, the CAF's fleet of historical aircraft, known as the CAF Ghost Squadron, recreates, reminds and reinforces the lessons learned from the defining moments of American military history.



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 https://sdwg.cap.gov/.

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 https://sdwg.cap.gov/command/squadrons 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, email: info@sdwg.cap.gov
  • Rushmore Composite Squadron, Rapid City
  • 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
  • Lincoln County Composite Squadron, Tea


South Dakota EAA Chapters


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



National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)

NBAA's Northwest Regional Representative for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.


Kristi Ivey
Phone: 206-434-5688
Email: kivey@nbaa.org
Web site: https://nbaa.org

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 11,000 companies and professionals, and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show.

To learn more about NBAA, go to https://nbaa.org.



Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF)

Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF)


SD State Liaison: Ray Jilek
Phone: 605-641-2787
Email: rjilek@theraf.org
National web site: http://theraf.org/

RAF Mission: “Keeping the legacy of recreational aviation strong by preserving, maintaining and creating public use recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide”



United States Pilots Assoication

United States Pilots Association


The SDPA became an affiliate member of USPA in June 2017.

The USPA was founded in 1981 and is a “grassroots organization of general aviation pilots and their families, dedicated to exercising our privilege to fly, travel, and see our great country from the unique vantage point of an aviator, while promoting safety and working for prudent regulation.” USPA communication is accomplished through email newsletters and meetings. USPA currently has 142 individual members from 23 states (as of May 2017). Affiliate organizations include Missouri Pilots Association, Illinois Pilots Association, Texas Pilots Association, New Mexico Pilots Association, Associated Pilots of Iowa, Colorado Pilots Association, California Pilots Association, Florida Aero Club, and a local chapter in Cactus Grande, AZ. There is no charge or annual fee for affiliate organizations.

To join USPA, go to http://www.uspilots.org/ and click on “join.”



Women in Aviation International

Women in Aviation International


WAI Great Planes Chapter in Sioux Falls, SD.
Chapter President: Randi Pederson
Phone: 605-215-2940
Email: randi_pederson@yahoo.com
Facebook: Women in Aviation Great Planes Chapter.
WAI members seek to inspire and stand for encouragement, continued education, and a whole lot of fun! If you’re a lover of all things aviation and aerospace, and enjoy sharing your passion with others -- Join WAI. WAI membership is open to women and men from all segments of the aviation industry and in all stages of their career.

To join WAI, go to https://www.wai.org/ and click on “Join.”