Regulatory Compliance Including FAA, DOT and SEC Planning

One key aspect of owning and operating a business aircraft is ensuring compliance with all applicable governmental regulatory requirements, including those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), state government counterparts to these Federal governmental authorities, and the International Registry of Mobile Assets. GKG Law’s Business Aviation Group is well versed in all of the regulatory requirements applicable to business aircraft ownership and operations, and can provide valuable guidance to owners and operators regarding compliance with these complex and often-contradictory requirements.

We address all facets of regulatory compliance issues, including:

  • Creating aircraft ownership, operating, leasing and charter structures that are compliant with the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) (including FAR Part 91 and FAR Part 135)

  • Defending FAA enforcement actions and CBP audits

  • Developing fractional and hybrid shared ownership aircraft programs that comply with FAA and DOT regulatory requirements

  • Ensuring compliance with the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment

  • Advising clients with respect to the application of FEC and state requirements for the provision of air transportation to candidates for elected office

  • Facilitating registry of every transaction with the International Registry of Mobile Assets and helping clients to obtain and/or renew their Transacting User Entity (TUE) status

  • Handling registrations, licenses, and ensuring compliance with respect to the import/export of military related aircraft and components under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Without the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable advisor, it is very difficult to be certain that you have correctly followed the byzantine maze of regulatory requirements that apply to business aircraft ownership and operations. In addition, the requirements of many of these rules are often counterintuitive and sometimes conflict with one another. Ultimately, failure to properly follow all rules can result in legally and financially catastrophic consequences.

At GKG Law, our deep knowledge and broad experience in the area of the regulation of business aircraft ownership and operations enables us to provide clients with the comfort of knowing that these issues are properly addressed. We go above and beyond to ensure full compliance with the legal rules related to the ownership and operation of our clients’ aircraft.