The latest news and information on private aircraft ownership and operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) requires U.S. registered aircraft (“N” number aircraft) to be owned by U.S. citizens or resident aliens, unless a registration exception applies.
Even among seasoned aviation professionals, determining whether a flight must be conducted under the FAA’s stringent Part 135 commercial operating rules or the more permissive Part 91 operating rules is a daunting task.
The FAA doesn’t have to prove that anyone was actually harmed—only that a pilot’s actions could have created danger. Real enforcement cases show how FAR 91.13 turns poor judgment into certificate suspensions and, sometimes, revocation.
The Part 380 saga continues as the Department of Transportation has finally approved SkyWest Charter, LLC’s application to operate scheduled passenger flights as a commuter air carrier.
Under the BBB, the tax law now provides for a return to 100 percent bonus depreciation, allowing taxpayers an immediate deduction of the cost of aircraft acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025.
The FAA has strict guidelines as to which antidepressant medications pilots can take and the procedures they must follow to establish their medical clearance to fly.
The FAA’s Compliance Program prioritizes collaboration and root cause analysis over punishment, encouraging a safety culture built on trust. Legal enforcement still applies to reckless or intentional violations
Recently, the FAA increased the options available to aircraft owners to keep their information private. Private aircraft owners and operators can now electronically request that the FAA withhold their aircraft registration information (name and address) from public view.
Beginning in 2025, individuals with foreign addresses must designate U.S. agents for service of FAA documents. Find out how this change will impact thousands of certificate holders and new applicants.
Background In September of 2022, the FAA released initial design standards for vertiports to manage the development of landing facilities for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft. In March 2023, the FAA further modified its guidance. Most recently, on December 27, 2024, the FAA published a revised Engineering Brief No. 105A
