Aircraft Regulations Attorneys Advising Clients on Aviation Laws and Regulations

Aviation businesses such as airlines, pilots, manufacturers, and maintenance facilities face potential federal, state, and local legal issues daily without proper legal guidance and direction.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governing body of air transportation. Aviation businesses must conform to rigorous standards and regulations in the aviation industry, or they will risk compliance violations. Failure to comply could also put passengers and staff in danger.

Aircraft regulations set the tone for all aviation businesses, passengers, and staff to conduct business in a compliant manner to prevent problems in the air and on the ground. Aircraft regulations are part of FAA directives and are in place to ensure security and protection.

All aviation businesses need to get ahead of compliance and legal issues before they turn into ugly lawsuits. Aero Law Center helps aviation businesses with aircraft regulation compliance. Our firm also represents aviation businesses when the FAA pursues legal action regarding aircraft regulation compliance.

What Does the FAA Enforce?

The FAA issues and enforces specific directives and regulations designed for airplane owners, manufacturers, pilots, airlines, airplane maintenance companies, and other aviation businesses. The FAA rules enforce:

• Safety regulations: The FAA enforces safety standards that span manufacturing, operating, and maintaining an aircraft.
• Airspace and air traffic management: The FAA ensures the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace. The FAA controls airport towers, air route traffic control centers, and flight service stations.
• Air navigation facilities: The FAA builds and installs electronic ads for air navigation to ensure quality.
• Global safety standards: The FAA practices aviation safety and encourages national aviation.
• Commercial space transportation: The FAA licenses commercial space launch facilities.
• Research, engineering, and development: The FAA researches and develops systems and procedures that support safety and security initiatives.

The core of our aviation practice is serving the regulatory needs of our clients. Aero Law Center advises our clients on business and government affairs to ensure well-rounded counsel. We also keep a pulse on regulatory agencies, from the FAA to the DOT to Homeland Security (DHS), to help our clients stay compliant.

What is the FAA Code of Regulations?

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is designed to regulate the certification of pilots, schools, or aircraft rather than the operation of airplanes. The CFR is organized into sections—also known as parts—that align with a specific type of activity. Once an aircraft is certified using some parts of these regulations, it is certified even if the regulations change in the future.

For example, pilots must receive an Airworthiness Certificate to prove the safety and condition of their aircraft. This certificate must be publicly shared and visible to personnel, crew members, and passengers. Pilots can defer to part 23 through part 35, which specifically references the requirements that deem an aircraft “airworthy.”

Part 39 refers to Airworthiness Directives, which are legally enforceable rules requiring a pilot to correct any unsafe conditions to maintain airworthiness.

The CFR is explicit in nature to help operators and pilots play a role in an aircraft’s safe operation and condition. FAA regulations, including the CFR, are designed for air carriers and operators, pilots, flight and ground instructors, and commercial space transportation.

Penalties for violating any FAA regulation depend on the provisions. They can range from $1,100 to $27,500, and if legal action is pursued, these violations can stay on your record for five years and lead to revocation and suspension.

What are Common FAA Violations?

Every pilot, operator, and aviation business that wants to be on the right side of the FAA understands the significance of FAA regulations. Pilots and operators can’t fly a plane without an airworthiness certification or following proper procedures to conduct business without facing severe consequences such as fines and license revocation.

The FAA has its branch of legal counsel to review violations, initiate legal enforcement, assess the airworthiness of aircraft manufacture, certification, and maintenance, address concerns, and govern matters related to safety rules and operations.

Different branches focus on the most important regulations, including the Airworthiness Law Branch, Operations Law Branch, Field Airworthiness Certification Branch, Airman Certification and Commercial Space Law Branch, and Air Traffic Law Branch. The most common violations the FAA sees include the following:

• Lack of proper requirements and certifications
• Deviating more than 300 feet from the assigned altitude
• Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, specifically the runway, when you don’t have clearance to land or permission to pass
• Lack of proper planning regarding fuel

Understanding some typical FAA violations is the first step in preventing them.

When Should I Hire an Aviation Lawyer to Help with Regulations?

Aviation repair shops, airlines, owners and operators, and other businesses in the aviation industry face many legal issues and potential liabilities. Every aviation business should have a relationship with legal counsel to understand FAA directives and the potential implications of violations and lawsuits.

Attorneys with Aero Law Center provide a full suite of aviation-related counsel and services focused on ownership and operations, procedures, compliance regulations, and other related business matters. We regularly advise clients on regulatory issues and help minimize risk.

Our services include:

• FAA and DOT regulatory compliance
• Aviation security requirements
• The challenging of agency orders
• Advising clients regarding aviation policy developments
• Airport governance
• Managing and implementing policies, procedures, rules, and standards
• Vendor agreements
• Contract negotiation and administration
• Bilateral service agreements

From licensing issues to regulatory compliance to defense enforcement matters, we always aim to give our clients an edge in the aviation industry to stay ahead of the curve. Contact us today to learn more about how our partnership can support you long-term: 954-869-8950.