The U.S. Has Lots of Sanctions in Place; Be Careful

On September 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it had seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX business jet in the Dominican Republic, that allegedly was owned and operated for the benefit of President Maduro of the county of Venezuela. Citing the Executive Order signed in 2015 by President Obama, which blocked assets and [...]

By |2024-10-29T09:00:52-07:00October 29th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on The U.S. Has Lots of Sanctions in Place; Be Careful

The FAA is asking questions, now what?

If you spend enough time in the aviation industry in nearly any capacity, from being a pilot, mechanic, or flight attendant, to running an airline, management company, flight department or airport, contact with the FAA is nearly inevitable. Most of these interactions are routine, however, on occasion, members of the industry may find themselves, their [...]

By |2024-09-17T14:14:01-07:00September 17th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on The FAA is asking questions, now what?

Understanding Entertainment Disallowance in a Potential Audit

The National Business Aviation Association held its annual one-day tax seminar in Dallas, Texas, in mid-May. The program schedule included panels on FAA regulations, various tax issues, personal use of business aircraft, depreciation, and sustainable aviation fuel. This year’s event had two additional segments – “Carriage of Political Candidates” and “Corporate Transparency Act [CTA] Impact [...]

By |2024-06-11T12:14:14-07:00June 10th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on Understanding Entertainment Disallowance in a Potential Audit

Election 2024: Carrying Candidates for Public Office on Your Private Aircraft

Major federal and state elections are happening in 2024—and candidates for public office will need to travel to campaign, raise funds and deliver stump speeches. Accordingly, owners and operators of private aircraft might be asked to carry political candidates or their campaign staff. Paying for a candidate’s flight raises competing compliance issues among federal and [...]

By |2024-04-16T15:54:57-07:00April 16th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on Election 2024: Carrying Candidates for Public Office on Your Private Aircraft

A Note About Tax Audits for Aircraft Owners and Operators

In a recent news release, the IRS announced plans to begin “dozens” of audits on aircraft use by large corporations and high-income taxpayers to determine whether expenses for private aircraft are being properly allocated between business and personal use. “Personal use of corporate jets and other aircraft by executives and others have tax implications, and [...]

By |2024-03-15T14:27:16-07:00March 15th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on A Note About Tax Audits for Aircraft Owners and Operators

Aviation Safety is Paramount for any Operator

Safety is paramount with the FAA and it is the primary issue that the FAA scrutinizes with respect to Part 91 and 135 operators.  Owner/operators are in position – and arguably have an obligation – to set the tone when it comes to operational safety.  The entity chosen to manage the aircraft, whether for charter [...]

By |2024-01-17T17:52:38-08:00January 17th, 2024|Articles|Comments Off on Aviation Safety is Paramount for any Operator

Are Dry Leases Always a Problem?

Hundreds of articles have been written about dry leases and their potential pitfalls with respect to operational control and FAA regulatory compliance, but are dry leases of aircraft truly always bad? Since this article is written by a lawyer, the answer is, of course, “it depends”. Obviously, dry leases that are thinly veiled attempts to [...]

By |2023-12-08T12:44:53-08:00December 8th, 2023|Articles|Comments Off on Are Dry Leases Always a Problem?

May I Register or Operate an Aircraft in the United States If I Am Not a U.S. Citizen?

To register an aircraft (or maintain registration of an aircraft already registered) in the United States (i.e., N-registration), the aircraft must be either (1) owned by a “citizen of the United States,” (2) owned by an individual citizen of a foreign country who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, (3) [...]

By |2023-11-06T11:04:01-08:00November 3rd, 2023|Articles|Comments Off on May I Register or Operate an Aircraft in the United States If I Am Not a U.S. Citizen?

Closest to the Prop

A view from the Tee Box at Hole 6 at Langdon Farms Golf Course in Aurora, OR Aero Law Group is proud to support the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA) and, for the past fifteen years, our favorite way to support PNBAA is by participating in their annual golf tournament.  Not only [...]

By |2023-09-11T17:01:21-07:00September 11th, 2023|Articles|Comments Off on Closest to the Prop

The Management Company Circle of Life

Kevin Austin went to work in the aviation industry nearly 50 years ago running tours, mopping floors and emptying garbage cans at Boeing’s 747 manufacturing facility while going to school at night.  He later negotiated aircraft purchase agreements with the world’s airlines.  He then attended Stanford Law School and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business where [...]

By |2023-08-11T17:11:33-07:00August 11th, 2023|Articles|Comments Off on The Management Company Circle of Life
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