CHAPTER 561

AN ACT to prohibit interference with or threatening to interfere with
the operation of aircraft carrying passengers for hire; to authorize
the restraint of persons interfering with the operation of such air-
craft; to confer the powers of conservators of the peace on pilots of
such aircraft; and to establish the jurisdiction of certain courts as to
such offenses.

(S 124]

Approved March 29, 1958

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The pilot of any aircraft carrying passengers for hire, or any
person subject to his direction, may take such action as is reasonably neces-
sary to restrain or arrest any person who interferes with, or threatens to
interfere with, the operation of the aircraft in flight over the territory of
this State or to a destination within this State.

§ 2. The pilot of any aircraft carrying passengers for hire while
actively engaged in the operation of such aircraft shall be a special police-
man and have all the powers of a conservator of the peace in the enforce-
ment of order on such aircraft and while in pursuit of persons for dis-
order upon such aircraft and until such persons as may be arrested by
him shall have been placed in confinement or delivered to the custody of
some other conservator of the peace or police officer.

. Any person who interferes with or threatens to interfere with
the operation of an aircraft carrying passengers for hire over the territory
of this State shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished accordingly.
Jurisdiction for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of, and for trial
of, any such person is hereby conferred upon any court having criminal
jurisdiction in the political subdivision in this State where the aircraft
took off prior to such offense, or where it lands subsequent to such offense,
or over which the offense occurred.