South Carolina. Aeronautics Commission

The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission was created in 1935 by the South Carolina General Assembly through Act No. 302, 1935 S.C. Acts 447-456 and operates pursuant to Sections 55-5-10 through 55-5-290, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended. Its responsibilities are to foster air commerce in the state, to supervise aeronautical activities and facilities, to make and enforce rules and regulations regarding licensing of airplanes and pilots, and to cooperate in the establishment and operation of airports. The Commission also acts as a funding agency awarding capital improvement bond funds to eligible airport improvement projects. In 1937 the Uniform Airport act was enacted by the General Assembly authorizing the Aeronautics Commission, separately or jointly, with political subdivisions to make regulations concerning the use of airports and landing fields.

The Aeronautics Commission is responsible for providing air transportation for constitutional officers and state employees traveling on state business, law enforcement surveillance and support, and emergency airlifts. The Commission also licenses aerial applicators, conducts aviation workshops each year for public schools, actively promotes aviation awareness through education, provides educators with a hands-on approach to teaching aerodynamics and basic principles of flight, and sponsors various safety meetings and refresher courses.

The Commission is organized under a nine member commission with a director and assistant director overseeing the areas of flight operations, aircraft maintenance, public information, airport development, airport maintenance, and civil air patrol. The nine member commission is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and two-officio members, the chairmen of the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. One commissioner is appointed from each Congressional District and one at-large. The at-large member is appointed to a six-year term while members from districts serve four-year terms.

The Government Restructuring Act of 1993 created the South Carolina Department of Commerce and transferred the Aeronautics Commission under its authority as a division within the Department of Commerce (Act No. 181, 1993 S.C. Acts 1419, 2929-2933).