FAA compliance decisions can affect a certificate holder’s ability to operate, maintain aircraft, serve customers, and expand. Aero Law Center advises aviation businesses on federal FAA requirements, certificate and Operations Specifications issues, maintenance and repair-station compliance, inspections, and enforcement responses. Our work is directed to the facts, records, manuals, and approvals that govern the operation.

Speak with an aviation attorney about a Part 135 or Part 145 compliance matter. Call Aero Law Center at (954) 869-8950 or request a consultation.

Aero Law Center services aviation businesses globally for all of your aviation business needs.

FAA Compliance Counsel for Part 135 Operators

A Part 135 certificate holder should maintain its operation consistently with the applicable certificate, Operations Specifications, manuals, aircraft, personnel, maintenance programs, training, records, and other requirements that apply to its operation. The FAA’s Part 135 certification materials identify areas that may include ownership, the principal base of operation, aircraft, maintenance, economic authority, insurance, management personnel, manuals, training, drug and alcohol programs, security programs, an approved Minimum Equipment List where applicable, and proving or validation testing.

Before an operator adds an aircraft, changes routes or services, changes operational control, revises a maintenance arrangement, or adopts a new operating model, management should compare the proposed change with the current certificate, Operations Specifications, manuals, and approved programs. The answer is fact-dependent. A change may require FAA coordination, an amended authorization, revised manuals, or additional operational work before the business advertises or conducts the activity.

Aero Law Center can help Part 135 businesses organize certification and compliance questions, review the legal effect of a proposed operational change, evaluate records and manuals, and prepare for an FAA inquiry or enforcement matter. See the related FAA Part 135 certification requirements article and the current 14 CFR Part 135 text. These sources should be reviewed with qualified aviation counsel and operational advisers.

FAA Compliance Counsel for Part 145 Repair Stations and MROs

A Part 145 repair station operates within the limits of its certificate, ratings, Operations Specifications, facilities, equipment, technical data, personnel, manuals, and quality-control system. The certificate is not a general authorization to perform every maintenance task an MRO may want to accept. The proposed work must fit the station’s approved scope and the controls that support that work.

Part 43 also governs important maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, alteration, and return-to-service questions. For a focused discussion of how those requirements affect operators, certificate holders, repair stations, and MRO leadership, see Aero Law Center’s 14 CFR Part 43 maintenance compliance requirements article and the current 14 CFR Part 43 text.

A repair station should review its authority and compliance system before adding a rating, expanding a capability list, changing facilities, performing work away from its approved housing, using contractors, or accepting work that may involve a Part 135 operator’s maintenance program. The review should connect the proposed work to current manuals, personnel qualifications, technical data, calibration, inspection procedures, records, and return-to-service controls. Under 14 CFR 145.205(a), when a repair station performs maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations for a Part 135 air carrier or commercial operator that has a continuous airworthiness maintenance program, the station must follow that operator’s program and applicable sections of its maintenance manual.

Aero Law Center advises Part 145 repair stations and MROs on certification planning, scope and facility changes, manual and quality-system issues, contract risk, FAA inquiries, and disputes involving maintenance work. See the related FAA Part 145 repair station certification requirements article, the current eCFR Part 145 text, and the FAA Part 145 repair station resource.

Whether it’s aircraft transactions, commercial litigation, or compliance, we excel at creating solutions to unique challenges.

FAA Inspections, Inquiries, and Enforcement Responses

An FAA inspection, records request, Letter of Investigation, proposed civil penalty, or certificate action should be evaluated and handled according to the specific allegation, deadline, operation, and records involved. These events are not interchangeable. An inquiry or inspection observation is not automatically a final finding, and a certificate holder should not assume that a routine corrective action resolves every legal or operational issue.

Management should preserve relevant records, avoid deleting or backdating material, identify the response deadline, and establish a controlled point of contact for factual information. Counsel can help compare the allegation with the certificate holder’s manuals, Operations Specifications, approved programs, and applicable federal requirements; organize a factual response; evaluate corrective action; and assess available procedural options. The FAA describes legal enforcement actions that can include certificate actions, civil penalty actions, informal procedures, and settlements. The FAA Legal Enforcement Actions resource should be reviewed with the facts of the matter.

If an FAA inspection, inquiry, Letter of Investigation, or certificate issue could affect your operation, call (954) 869-8950 or request a consultation with Aero Law Center. Early legal review does not replace cooperation with the FAA, and no article can predict a particular agency result.

AeroShield® Legal Plan for Ongoing Aviation Compliance Counsel

The AeroShield® Legal Plan is designed specifically for FAA Part 145 repair stations. If you operate an FBO, a Part 135 charter company, or another aviation business, contact Aero Law Center to ask whether AeroShield is available and appropriate for your organization. Eligibility, scope, and plan terms must be confirmed directly with Aero Law Center before enrollment.

Aero Law Center assists clients across the United States with federal aviation matters and aircraft transactions. Any state-law component is evaluated separately based on the facts, jurisdiction, and applicable professional-admission requirements.

Contact Aero Law Center at (954) 869-8950 to discuss a Part 135, Part 145, FAA inspection, or enforcement matter.

Common FAA Compliance Questions for Operators and Repair Stations

What does an FAA compliance attorney do for a Part 135 operator?

An FAA compliance attorney helps the operator evaluate certificate, Operations Specifications, manuals, maintenance, training, records, operational changes, inspections, and enforcement issues against the facts of the business. The specific work depends on the operation and the issue presented. Counsel cannot guarantee certification, approval, or a particular FAA result.

What should a Part 145 repair station review before expanding its scope?

The station should compare the proposed work with its certificate, ratings, Operations Specifications, capability list, facilities, equipment, technical data, personnel, manuals, inspection procedures, quality controls, and records. It should also determine whether an FAA approval, amendment, or other coordination is needed before accepting the work. The answer depends on the rating, article, task, location, and approved procedures.

What should a certificate holder do after receiving an FAA Letter of Investigation?

The certificate holder should preserve relevant records, identify the response deadline, control factual communications, and review the allegation against its manuals, Operations Specifications, approved programs, and the applicable requirements. It should not delete, alter, or backdate records. Prompt legal review can help management evaluate the response and available options while continuing to address immediate safety and operational obligations.

Can Aero Law Center provide ongoing compliance support?

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Aviation regulations, FAA guidance, and individual circumstances can change the analysis. Reading this article or contacting Aero Law Center does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

The sooner you contact our team, the sooner we can put our years of expertise to use and ease you through the process.

Frequently Asked Questions & Support

The Federal Aviation Administration, or the “FAA” is an arm of the Department of Transportation (DOT). It controls aviation business matters, including air traffic management and the certification of personnel and aircraft. The FAA sets the standard for airport conditions and protects U.S. assets during the launch of commercial space vehicles. The FAA issues directives and legal regulations to ensure the safety of all airplanes, including mandated correction for any unsafe conditions in an aircraft. This could include an aircraft’s plane, engine, propeller, or appliance. All operators must conduct business compliantly and follow the FAA’s guidance and provisions, and any certifications must be present in the aircraft.

An FBO stands for Fixed Base Operator (FBO). FBOs operate like private terminals and facilitate private jet and charter operations. Commercial companies are given access by an airport to work on the grounds and provide flight services, fuel, parking, and hangar space. FBOs offer three tiers that provide different accommodations depending on the amount of traffic and size of the airport, including pilot lounges, restrooms and shower facilities, catering, aerial photography, parking, pilot instruction, private jet charter, and much more. Smaller and less busy airports might only offer basic amenities, while more significant, commercial airports have a full suite of extras, like waiting rooms, in-flight catering, and other conveniences.

According to the FAA’s strict aviation provisions and regulations, every aircraft must be deemed “airworthy” to fly. A Standard Airworthiness Certification is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) official authorization regarding the operation of type-certificated aircraft, including normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, manned free balloons, and special classes. All operators must have a Standard or Special Airworthiness Certification to prove the safety and condition of the aircraft. It must be publicly visible to all crew members, inspection companies, and passengers in the cockpit or cabin. Certification delays can cost pilots thousands, sometimes millions of dollars, though an aviation lawyer can provide helpful counsel to avoid mistakes and complete the process.

Sometimes mechanics are the only thing standing between the aircraft and a potential problem if an issue is overlooked or not properly taken care of. Maintenance facilities aren’t always at fault. However, suppose a plane crashes, and people are injured or killed. In that case, repair shops are often part of the legal investigation to uncover any mistakes, errors, or other issues that might have caused an accident. Malfunctioning equipment is one cause of crashes, electrical wiring issues, fitting of wrong parts, mistakes, leftover loose objects, incorrect installation of fuel or oil caps, and other similar mistakes are often looked at in a plane accident case.

A fractional jet ownership arrangement affords one or more operators to share in jet ownership through shares or equity in the aircraft. With this arrangement, operators can use the plane for a certain number of hours each year, as outlined in the contract. An interest in an aircraft defines a fractional ownership agreement; shares are sold to multiple owners based on 800 occupied hours and sold in fractions. The cost is divided among the total number of co-operators, and each person is responsible for their operational share. In such an arrangement, flying time typically ranges between 50 and 400 hours, and most jet shares will become multiple of one-sixteenth.

Hangar rash results from an airplane accident or damage to an airplane while being towed in the hangar, moved, or elements inside the hangar that cause physical harm, including falling parts, debris, and weather. Hangar keepers are responsible for any liabilities and unexpected damages to a client’s aircraft. The damage to an airplane can cost thousands to millions of dollars, which also impacts a plane’s overall resale value. Operators often utilize our services when their aircraft has been damaged in hangar storage, a hangar keeper is involved in a lawsuit due to plane damage, or owners need to protect their business from false allegations and lawsuits.

Depending on how much you fly or if you have considered turning your aviation passion into a business, there are various ways to get started outside of an aircraft purchase. Consider purpose, expenses and costs, usage, and other similar factors. Aero Law Center helps operators purchase an aircraft, consider financing options, and adhere to regulations or alternatives such as leasing or fractional ownership. With wet or dry leases, leasing is affordable and accessible with the benefit of fixed monthly payments. Buying shares or equity in an aircraft through fractional ownership is a similar and approachable option if an outright purchase isn’t in the cards.

FAA Compliance Counsel for Aviation Operators and Repair Stations