Aviation

From transactions to litigation, Parsons' aviation team helps keep clients' businesses aloft

Aircraft Finance Aircraft Regulation Aviation Litigation Business Agreements & Commercial Contracts Business Formation Commercial Loan and Lease Transactions

Overview

Parsons Behle & Latimer’s aviation team has the experience and legal knowledge necessary to counsel and represent clients in the highly-regulated, complex and continually-changing aviation industry. We serve a range of clients including operators, owners, acquirers, charter companies, sellers and financiers of small- to medium-size aircraft, engines and aircraft-related businesses. Our aviation team assists carriers with operating agreements, public and client-facing agreements and documentation, and corporate formation and maintenance. A partial list of our services includes:

• Domestic and international transactions

• Litigation and dispute resolution

• Insurance and risk management

• Intellectual property

• Regulatory actions

• Joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and financing

• International import and export of aircraft and engines

Team

Key Contacts

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Experience

Trial Victory for Parsons Behle & Latimer's Aviation Law Team

Parsons Behle & Latimer's Aviation law team recently obtained a verdict after a five-day bench trial in favor of its aircraft leasing and operating clients in a dispute with the client's management and maintenance provider. Parsons successfully defended the client against improper maintenance and management charges and obtained removal of a wrongful lien placed on its aircraft. Parsons' attorneys' deep specialization in aircraft operations, maintenance and management practices and statutory liens helped secure the victory for its clients.

Counsel for Emerging Aviation Carrier

Counsel to FAA 135 carrier to structure company and aircraft holdings and obtain FAA 135 certification from FAA. Structured employment, contractor and client-facing agreements, including aircraft operating agreements, brokerage contracts, purchase agreements and fractional share agreements.

Established Tax-Advantaged Trusts and Lease Agreements

Counsel to aircraft engine investors. Set up tax-advantaged holding trusts and leased engines to commercial air carriers.

Capabilities

Aircraft Finance

Parsons Behle & Latimer's aircraft finance team works with lenders, borrowers and owners to negotiate and draft financing and holding arrangements for aircraft, engines, and the revenues and lease payments derived from each. Parsons financing, transaction and tax attorneys help their clients structure the acquisition and financing of aircraft assets to meet their clients’ tax treatment, limitation of liability and cost structure goals.

Aircraft Regulation

Parsons Behle & Latimer's regulatory practice can assist aircraft owners and operators with FAA and NTSB compliance. Parsons' attorneys have assisted clients in obtaining certifications under FAA Part 135, in responding to FAA investigations and inquiries, interfacing with local FAA FSDOs, in crafting employment, personnel, operating and company policies as well as leases and operating agreements that meet FAA requirements.

Aviation Litigation

Parsons Behle & Latimer's aviation litigation attorneys represent aircraft carriers, owners and operators in defending, preserving and pursuing their rights in complex commercial litigation in the aviation industry. Parsons' aviation litigation attorneys understand the aviation industry specifically, including the nuances of aircraft ownership and operating agreements, maintenance, aircraft liens, air carrier service contracts, fractional share and charter agreements and other arrangements that can sometimes cause disputes. Parsons' attorneys have successfully assisted clients in resolving disputes among operators, owners, maintenance providers, customers and management companies. Parsons' attorneys have obtained judgments against unscrupulous maintenance providers and managers on behalf of owners; achieved removal of wrongful liens; obtained release of aircraft; engines; and logbooks; and successfully defended against claims brought by service providers and retail customers.

Commercial Loan and Lease Transactions

Parsons Behle & Latimer's attorneys assist clients in a wide range of financial institution transactions including loan and lease financing. Parsons represents banks, credit unions, insurance companies and other financial institutions both nationally and locally in a variety of financings, including:

Aircraft financings
Business purchase financings
Consumer financings
Equipment lease financings
Intellectual property financings
Inventory and receivable financings
Leasehold financings
Participation agreements
Private equity financings
Syndicated loans
Warehouse loan financings

Business Formation

Entity formation is a critical element to set the foundation for any business’s future. Parsons Behle & Latimer's attorneys advise on business strategy, founder agreements, internal governance documents, operating agreements and developing the right business entity that will fuel a company’s growth.

Business Agreements & Commercial Contracts

Advice and oversight of contracts is essential for all companies. Parsons Behle & Latimer's attorneys help businesses review and negotiate essential contracts, including consulting agreements, purchase agreements, service agreements, licensing arrangements, partnership arrangements, joint venture agreements, contractor agreements, leases, supply chain contracts, employment agreements and NDAs to ensure your interests are protected and liability exposure is mitigated.