FAA & Regulatory Law—Spotlight on Aerlex Law Group

Newsletters - November 6, 2012

The fourth article in an occasional series highlighting the firm’s practice areas

In our previous Spotlight articles, we have focused on Aerlex’s aircraft transaction and litigation practice areas. This article continues our discussion of the firm’s comprehensive legal services with a look at Aerlex’s regulatory law practice.

Aviation is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States at the federal level. The two principal regulatory agencies with responsibility for private and commercial aviation are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which supervises operational and safety issues for all segments of the aviation industry, and the Department of Transportation (DOT), which oversees the economic regulation of commercial air carriers. The Aerlex Law Group has an unparalleled capability in the field of aviation regulatory law and offers its clients an extensive range of services in all sectors of domestic and international aviation regulation.

Aerlex attorneys have a combined total of more than 50 years’ experience working in the field of aviation regulatory law. Craig Weller, one of the Aerlex attorneys specializing in regulatory matters, worked at both the FAA and DOT before entering private practice. Our lawyers have represented or counseled major airlines, business aircraft owners, aviation service providers, individual pilots and mechanics on all aspects of aviation regulation, including enforcement proceedings. They have counseled and represented both U.S. and foreign airlines on issues arising from aviation accidents. Aerlex attorneys also have broad experience in issues relating to certification of airlines and on-demand air carriers and related U.S. citizenship issues.

The FAA and leading aviation industry organizations often call upon Aerlex attorneys to offer their opinions on regulatory issues. Craig Weller served on the FAA committee that wrote the current rules for aircraft fractional ownership and on another FAA committee suggesting changes to the FAA air carrier and commercial operator rules. He was also a founding member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Tax Committee and served as its Chairman. Aerlex aviation regulatory attorneys remain active participants on NBAA committees.

Aerlex is also unique among law firms offering aviation regulatory services in that it retains former FAA inspector Robert Frost as its FAA Certification and Compliance specialist. Bob is an ATP-rated pilot and has held senior management positions at several air carriers. His “hands-on” knowledge and experience, plus the expertise of our regulatory attorneys, invests our FAA and regulatory legal program with resources unmatched at other law firms.

Please note that Aerlex email articles are meant to draw attention to important legal and tax issues in business aviation. They are not intended to be construed as legal advice and cannot be relied upon as such. Readers are urged to consult an attorney or other advisor concerning specific facts or circumstances.

Aerlex Law Group provides a wide range of services to all sectors of the aviation industry, representing the needs of business and corporate aviation, manufacturers, airlines, and airports. Aerlex attorneys provide expert assistance with whole aircraft purchases and sales, leasing, financing and management, fractional jet ownership, regulatory issues, and tax, corporate, real estate, employment and litigation issues.

For more information regarding the Aerlex Law Group, see our website at www.aerlex.com or contact us from anywhere in the nation at 877-237-5398.

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