Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
Time to Resolve FAR 135 Rest and Duty Times
September 1st, 2009 by
The current rest and duty regulations for Part 121 and 135 operations date back to 1985. In 2003, the FAA established a joint FAA/Industry Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to provide the agency recommendations regarding the safety and applicability standards for Parts 125 and 135. The ARC did achieve consensus on recommendations for revising the commuter and on-demand flight/rest requirements in Part 135. However, the FAA is yet to produce an NPRM on them. It is time to finish the work that was started years ago. Click here to download full article.
Saving Taxes With an Aircraft Leasing Company
August 14th, 2009 by
The sales and use tax laws generally apply only to the purchase and use of property by the final consumer. To avoid taxing intermediate sales, almost all States have a resale exemption which allows resellers to purchase and use property tax-free. This exemption generally applies to lessors. Instead of paying tax on the purchase or use of the property, the lessor will charge sales tax on the lease payments. An aircraft investor can take advantage of this exemption by creating a captive aircraft leasing company to purchase the aircraft and to lease the aircraft to the users.
The Reward For Filling the Cabin: More Money
July 17th, 2009 by
Flying “off the balance sheet” has always occurred at the fringes of our industry, but now it is becoming mainstream. It shouldn’t be. The IRS seat approach is virtually harmless to companies that have incorporated corporate aircraft shuttles in their flight operations, because the number of business butts in seats then dominates the calculation. That leaves the taxmen little room to disallow deductions for entertainment use of the aircraft by its owners, officers and directors.
Accidents vs. Incidents
July 1st, 2009 by
Aircraft Maintenance Technology - Industry Viewpoint - Most of us know that accidents must be reported to the NTSB, although we may be a little fuzzy on the process. We may even remember that certain incidents are reportable as well. As a maintenance professional you may be the most qualified person involved to determine whether or not NTSB reporting is required.
Blowing the Whistle
June 2nd, 2009 by
There are lessons learned looking back 10 years after creation of the Whistle-blower Protection Program for airline employees. Whistle-blower protection does enhance safety. The real price of this safety is the burden of documenting that a pilot’s career is not harmed or ended if a pilot takes a stand to prevent a violation.
Newsletter - Today’s Aircraft Options
May 15th, 2009 by
There are options available for aircraft owners to cover some aircraft costs and remain in compliance with the FARs as well as the IRS.
Corporate Aircraft Use Policy
May 5th, 2009 by
For many years, the majority of corporate flight operators did not feel any need to put their aircraft use policy in writing. But times have changed.
Trusts, Estate Planning and the Family Jet
April 22nd, 2009 by
When a high-net worth family or individual is purchasing a jet that will be flown primarily for personal use, it can be useful to consider at the outset how the structure of the ownership and operation of the aircraft fits within the estate plan of the owner.
Crime, Punishment and Safety
April 1st, 2009 by
In the vast majority of FAA enforcement cases, the FAA does not have to prove or even discuss the issue of intent. A pilot who puts an incorrect answer on an FAA medical application has not committed fraud if the pilot simply did not understand the question. However, the pilot may still receive a suspension for the innocent mistake. But a suspension doesn’t compare to the consequences for falsifying a form, which start with revocation of all certificates and can end with jail time.