Over the last year, the FAA has been investigating aircraft leases between air charter operators and aircraft owners, the use of alternate business names, and operational control systems. At the March 29th briefing, the FAA will present information that could significantly impact all Part 135 air charter operators. All air charter operators are strongly encouraged to attend this briefing or one of the up-coming regional meetings and to encourage their local FAA inspectors to attend as well.

The all-day session will begin in the Las Vegas Convention Center at 8:00 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM. FAA officials participating in the session include:

• James Ballough, Director, Flight Standards Service
• Hooper Harris, Manager, Commuter, On-Demand, and Training Center Branch
• Kent Stephens, Aviation Safety Inspector, Flight Standards Service, Operational Control Policy
• Joe Conte, Manager, Operations Law Branch, Office of Chief Counsel
• Allan Horowitz, Manager, Special Programs, Enforcement Division, Office of the Chief Counsel

Presentations will include information detailing the FAA’s new guidance relating to wet leases and operational control, including these topics:

• What is “operational control”?
• What are the key factors in assessing operational control?
• What is an illegal “wet lease”?
• When is the use of assumed business names permissible?
• Case studies of FAA enforcement action.
• Implementation of the new guidance nationwide.

This special session will give attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the FAA on the crucial subject of operational control and ask specific questions of the regulators. Additional briefing sessions, also held in conjunction with NBAA, will be held across the country over the next few months. A schedule of additional sessions and locations will be announced soon.

FMI: www.nata.aero