Hamilton Rial on Aviation Law:

Personal Aviation Background

My parents were both pilots, and my father taught me to fly when I was a child. Our family flew a G Model Bonanza for several years, and then later an S Model. I was able to land a Bonanza without assistance at the age of 14. For financial reasons, I was unable to fly much during college, law school, and the first few years of my legal career. For many years, however, I have been fortunate enough to own and operate my own aircraft, ranging from an especially slow Beech Musketeer to a Cessna 210. I presently fly a Beechcraft Sierra, and am instrument rated.

Journal of Air Law and Commerce

While attending SMU Law School, I served as Notes & Comments Editor of the Journal of Air Law & Commerce, generally regarded as the leading publication in the world concerning aviation law. Although much of J.A.L.C. dealt with part 121 operations, The Warsaw Convention, and IATA issues, we received and reviewed a variety of articles involving all areas of aviation law.
Professional Aviation Law Experience

My professional aviation law experience includes the following types of engagements:

• General representation of Part 135 carriers in all aspects of their operations;
• Representation of Part 145 Repair Stations; particularly regulatory compliance matters and FSDO relationships;
• Representation of turbine aircraft purchasers and sellers;
• Representation of turbine aircraft lessors and lessees, including both wet and dry leases, as well as passenger and cargo leases;
• All aspects of aviation litigation, except for personal injury work. This category includes aircraft lease return condition litigation, physical damage litigation, aviation insurance coverage litigation, and aircraft damage litigation involving extensive use of aviation experts.
• Representation of pilots;
• Negotiation of fractional interest purchases and sales involving Flexjets (Bombardier), Netjets and Flight Options(Raytheon);
• Negotiation of STC agreements;
• Aircraft lending and security documents, including the representation of secured parties in the seizure of turbine aircraft and stand-alone security interests in turbine engines not secured by the remainder of the aircraft;
• Drafting of co-ownership agreements, with focus on avoidance of "single purpose" entity traps, "operator" status and "compensation for hire" liability; and
• Interpretation of FAR's and NTSB rules and cases.