Aviation Law
Overview
Aviation law encompasses all aspects of air travel, aircraft manufacturing, and aviation-related business operations. The industry is highly regulated by agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Dickinson Wright’s Aviation Law team advises private and commercial aircraft operators, flight schools, fixed-base operators, airport sponsors, and developers on the complex legal and regulatory issues they face.
From aircraft financing and airport land use to risk management, procurement requirements, and regulatory compliance, we understand the legal and operational demands of the aviation industry. Our lawyers prosecute and defend aviation-related claims and advise clients on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).
Our Team
Our aviation lawyers have substantial industry experience with corporate aircraft ownership, flight-time sharing, shared-ownership arrangements, aircraft management, and leasing. We are committed to the aviation industry both professionally and personally. Our team helps clients navigate commercial projects, business transactions, legal disputes, and the regulatory requirements shaping the industry.
Our Services
As a full-service law firm, we draw on experience across a range of practices to assemble the right team for each matter. Our capabilities include banking and finance, corporate, construction, environmental, personal injury, taxation, intellectual property, and related areas.
Corporate and Commercial Aviation
- Airport Land Use
- Corporate Aircraft Ownership
- Flight-Time Sharing
- Hangar Condominium Projects
- Permitting
- Shared-Ownership Structures
Airport and Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) Representation
- Environmental
- Grant Assurances
- Noise
- Part 16 Complaints
- Permitting
- Through-the-Fence Agreements
FAA Regulatory Compliance
- Aircraft Financing
- Aircraft Transactions
- Airport Operations
- Aviation Accidents & Injury Claims
- FAA & DOT Regulations
- International Operations
- Aviation Tax Matters
- Litigation
- Personal Use of Business Aircraft
- Risk Management
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs)
- Letters of Agreement
- Section 333 Exemptions
- Certificates of Authorization (COAs)
- Special Airworthiness Certificates (SACs)
- FAA Regulatory Compliance
Representative Matters
- Litigated and second-chaired a jury trial that resulted in a $1.8 million damages award for a hangar operator at a municipally owned airport, along with a full award of attorneys’ fees.
- Litigated disputes between competing fixed-base operators involving alleged procurement code and federal grant assurance violations.
- Represented aircraft owners in disputes with aircraft manufacturers and management companies.
- Defended an individual accused of breaching a partnership agreement involving a helicopter tour business, resulting in a favorable settlement.
- Defended airmen and commercial aeronautical service providers in emergency and non-emergency FAA revocation and suspension proceedings.
- Negotiated FAA settlements that substantially reduced the penalties initially sought by the agency.
- Defended aircraft operators, fixed-base operators, and airport sponsors against negligence claims.
- Represented financial institutions pursuing judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure of aircraft loans.