Aviation Law Overview
Aviation Law Resources
Aviation law governs all facets of air travel. It impacts those parties that provide air travel services, such as airlines, pilots, maintenance crews, security personnel and air traffic controllers. It also affects those that purchase air travel services, such as passengers and couriers.
Federal Aviation Law
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) serve as the primary federal agencies that regulate air travel.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- American Airlines, Inc. et al v. Federal Bureau of Investigations, et al
Plaintiff Aviation Parties seek to depose a limited number of former and current FBI employees who participated in FBI investigations of al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda operatives and have first-hand knowledge of facts that are directly relevant to Plaintiffs' defense in the personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage litigations arising out of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
New York Southern District Court
Other Statutory Actions
Filed: August 7, 2007
Plaintiff: American Airlines, Inc., AMR Corporation, UAL Corps., US Airways Group, Inc., US Airways, Inc. and others... Defendant: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller, United Airlines, Inc. Amicus: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Last Docket Report Change Found: July 14, 2008
(July 13, 2008) - PFM Air, Inc. et al v. Dr.Ing.hc.F.Porsche A.G. et al
Florida Middle District Court
Plaintiff
Filed: February 27, 2008
Plaintiff: PFM Air, Inc., Goedicke Inc of America, Peter Collinson Family, LP, AB Consulting, Inc., Pacific Aeromarine, Inc. and others...; Defendant: Dr.Ing.hc.F.Porsche A.G., Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Porsche Aviation Products, Inc., Gary Butcher
Last Docket Report Change Found: April 4, 2008
(April 3, 2008)
Dockets
- Malm v. CJ Systems Aviation Group Inc et al
Washington Western District Court
Airplane
Filed: April 17, 2009
Plaintiff: Clifford F Malm Defendant: CJ Systems Aviation Group Inc, CJ Systems Aviation Group Inc, Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Agusta SPA
(April 16, 2009) - Wright v. Gemini Air Cargo, Inc. et al
New York Southern District Court
Airplane
Filed: April 16, 2009
Plaintiff: Richard Wright; Defendant: Gemini Air Cargo, Inc., Jason S. Persun
(April 15, 2009) - Walton v. Cessna Aircraft Company
Virginia Eastern District Court
Airplane Product Liability
Filed: April 15, 2009
Plaintiff: Catherine S. Walton; Defendant: Cessna Aircraft Company
(April 14, 2009) - Frohreich v. Columbia Helicopters, Inc. et al
Oregon District Court
Airplane Product Liability
Filed: April 14, 2009
Plaintiff: Jonathan Frohreich; Defendant: Columbia Helicopters, Inc., Carson Helicopters, Inc., Carson Helicopter Services, Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, United Technologies Corporation and others...
(April 13, 2009) - Wightman v. Cessna Aircraft Company
Colorado District Court
Airplane Product Liability
Filed: April 10, 2009
Plaintiff: Jean M. Wightman; Defendant: Cessna Aircraft Company
(April 9, 2009)
Legislation
- Bill Introduced: H.R.7321 Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act
To authorize financial assistance to eligible automobile manufacturers, and for other purposes.
(December 8, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.3689 Economic Recovery Act of 2008
A bill making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
(November 15, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.6063 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.
October 15, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-422.
(October 13, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.6984 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008, Part II
To amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
September 30, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-330.
(September 28, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.2638 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008
Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
September 30, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-329.
(September 28, 2008)
Regulations
- Rule - Special Conditions: General Electric Co., GEnx-2B Model Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation Administration
Rule
Special Conditions:
General Electric Co., GEnx-2B Model Turbofan Engines
,
18624-18626 [E9-9262]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 33 [Docket No. NE129; Special Conditions No. 33-007-SC] Special Conditions: General Electric Company GEnx-2B Model Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final special conditions. SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B69 model turbofan engines. The fan blades of these engines will have novel or unusual design features when... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Airworthiness Directives: CFM International, et al.
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Rule
Airworthiness Directives:
CFM International, et al.
,
18662-18664 [E9-9443]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2008-0174; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-03-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5B1/P; - 5B2/P; -5B3/P; -5B3/P1; -5B4/P; -5B4/P1; -5B5/P; -5B6/P; -5B7/P; -5B8/ P; -5B9/P; -5B1/3; -5B2/3; -5B3/3; -5B4/3; -5B5/3; -5B6/3; -5B7/3; - 5B8/3; -5B9/3; -5B3/3B1; and -5B4/3B1 Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Airworthiness Directives: DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Models Dornier 228-100, ...
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Rule
Airworthiness Directives:
DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Models Dornier 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 Airplanes,
18477-18479 [E9-9327]
Proposed Rules Federal Register DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2009-0261; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-017-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; DORNIER LUFTFAHRT GmbH Models Dornier 228-100, Dornier 228-101, Dornier 228-200, Dornier 228-201, Dornier 228-202, and Dornier 228-212 Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking... [read document]
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(April 22, 2009) - Rule - Modification of the Atlantic High and San Juan Low Offshore Airspace Areas: East Coast, ...
Federal Aviation Administration
Rule
Modification of the Atlantic High and San Juan Low Offshore Airspace Areas:
East Coast, United States
,
18288-18290 [E9-9137]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA-2008-1259; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASO-1] Modification of the Atlantic High and San Juan Low Offshore Airspace Areas; East Coast, United States AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action will amend the boundaries of the Atlantic High and San Juan Low Offshore Airspace Areas located off the east coast of the United States. The implementation of the West... [read document]
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(April 21, 2009) - Proposed Rule - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace: Ord, NE
Federal Aviation Administration
Proposed Rule
Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace:
Ord, NE
,
18167-18168 [E9-9052]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA-2009-0066; Airspace Docket No. 09-ACE-1] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ord, NE AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Ord, NE. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Evelyn Sharp Field Airport, Ord, NE.... [read document]
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(April 20, 2009)
Government
- Notice - Petition for Exemption: Summary of Petition Received
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice
Petition for Exemption:
Summary of Petition Received
,
18802-18803 [E9-9427]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Summary Notice No. PE-2009-16] Petition for Exemption; Summary of Petition Received AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of petition for exemption received. SUMMARY: This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither... [read document]
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(April 23, 2009) - Notice - Submission Deadlines for Schedule Information: O'Hare International Airport, John F. ...
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice
Submission Deadlines for Schedule Information:
O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport,
18608 [E9-9299]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Submission Deadline for Schedule Information for O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport for the Winter 2009/10 Scheduling Season AGENCY: Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ACTION: Notice of submission deadline. SUMMARY: Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 14, 2009, for Winter 2009/10 flight... [read document]
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(April 22, 2009) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
18605-18606 [E9-9207]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Intent To Request Revision From the Office of Management and Budget of a Currently Approved Information Collection Activity, Request for Comments; Airports Grants Program; Supplementary Notice AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current... [read document]
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(April 22, 2009) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
18604 [E9-9205]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Intent To Request Revision From the Office of Management and Budget of a Currently Approved Information Collection Activity, Request for Comments; FAA Acquisition Management System (FAAAMS) Including ARRA Requirements AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to... [read document]
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(April 22, 2009) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
18604-18605 [E9-9206]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Agency Information Collection Activity Seeking OMB Approval AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on February... [read document]
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(April 22, 2009)
News
- Attorney General Eric Holder Honors Washington Woman and Announces ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY
Ms. Skudlarick, a retired RN and a retired flight attendant, also served as a member of the Aviation Family Support Team and flew to Washington, DC after the September 11, 2001 attacks, to support surviving family members of those who were killed in ...
(April 23, 2009) - Excellence of DePaul University's Law and Part-Time MBA Programs ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY
Its research centers and institutes focus on such issues as health law, international human rights law, intellectual property, law and science, death penalty defense, animal law, international aviation law, family law, public interest law, ...
(April 23, 2009) - WWII-era plane pulled from Lake Michigan
ABC7Chicago.com, USA
"This is more fun than the law allows," said Chuck Downey, an 84-year-old retired Naval aviator who came to see the lift. Downey's friend and fellow pilot Grant Young also looked on. Young put a similar plane in the lake during training exercises in ...
(April 23, 2009) - Excellence of DePaul University's Law and Part-Time MBA Programs ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY
Its research centers and institutes focus on such issues as health law, international human rights law, intellectual property, law and science, death penalty defense, animal law, international aviation law, family law, public interest law, ...
(April 23, 2009) - 7NEWS Aviation Safety Consultant
TheDenverChannel.com, CO
Steve is a member of American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics; International Society of Air Safety Investigators; Flight Safety Foundation; Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association; ...
(April 23, 2009)
Blog Posts
- Day Two of Waxman-Markey Hearings: EPA, Energy and Transportation All Show Up
Day Two of the Hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, proved to be as contentious as expected. There was much evidence that the Bill would not have an easy road ahead of it, since the Committee is deeply divided. Although there were a few forays into the ridiculous, (Rep. John Shimkus (R.-Ill.: "I think this is the greatest assault on democracy and freedom that I've ever seen in Congress;" Energy Secretary Steven Chu comparing the Bill to...
(April 21, 2009) - European Commission Investigates Star, oneworld
The European Commission announced yesterday that it has opened formal proceedings against members of the Star and oneworld airline alliances. According to its public statement, "the Commission is assessing whether [the members'] joint activities" related to "managing schedules, capacity, pricing,...
(April 20, 2009) - Day One Of House Hearings on Waxman-Markey Climate Change Bill Produces No Surprises
On Day One of a planned four days of hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, there were no surprises. This day was devoted to "opening statements" by the members of the Committee, before the Administration's heavy hitters take the stage tomorrow. With a resounding "the time for delay and denial has come to an end," Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) opened the hearings. As could be...
(April 20, 2009) - Hawaiian Helicopter Tours: Profit Motive Still Trumps Safety
The Hawaiian Air Tour Industry is Big Business. Each year, more than 1 million people take an aerial tour of Hawaii. That equates to one out of every 10 visitors to the islands. Most of the tours are in helicopters. The business generates more than $200 million annually, and supports countless jobs. A helicopter is a great way to take in the islands' natural beauty. And that is what the tour companies sell. "Fly into the heart and heat of an active volcano" advertised one operator. "Fly close...
(April 19, 2009) - EPA Finally Issues Endangerment Finding for Six Greenhouse Gases, Including Carbon Dioxide
Over two years ago, on April 2, 2007, the Supreme Court in Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007), directed the EPA Administrator to determine whether or not emissions of greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare, or whether the science is too uncertain to make a reasoned decision. Finally, after two years and much hand-wringing, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson issued her proposed...
(April 18, 2009)