Aviation

Mr. Hinton maintains a specialty practice in corporate and commercial aviation.  Principal matters include sales, dispositions, leases and financings of aircraft, and assisting operators in structuring aircraft ownership and operating arrangements in conformity with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and with a view to minimizing tax exposure.  Mr. Hinton also advises lenders in aircraft financing transactions, including collateral security in aircraft assets.

 

 

Numerous corporate-aircraft acquisitions, dispositions, leases, debt financings and operating structures for various FAR Part 91 operators, including tax-deferred like-kind exchanges, “dry” and “wet” aircraft leases, aircraft management agreements and aircraft interchange agreements.

 

General advice to corporate aircraft owners and operators on structures for operation in compliance with FAR Parts 91 and 135.

 

Structuring and documentation of fractional-ownership program for corporate aircraft.  Numerous closings of sales, purchases and financings of aircraft interests in fractional programs. 

 

Representation of European investor in acquisitions of multiple wide-body commercial jet aircraft from U.S. trunk airline for overhaul, reconfiguration and remarketing.

 

Representation of syndicated investors in sale of several wide-body commercial aircraft to international trunk airline, financed by secured, high-yield bond financing.

 

Numerous purchases, leases and debt financings of regional aircraft for domestic airline.

 

Representation of institutional investor in acquisition and subordinated financing of wide-body commercial aircraft on lease to trunk airline.

 

Representation of startup company in operating leases of narrow-body commercial aircraft from major lessor and sublease of same to federal government agency.

 

Operating leases of narrow-body jet aircraft to airlines in the United States and Latin America.

 

Enforcement of leases of commuter aircraft for finance arm of international airframe manufacturer.

 

Successful arbitration and litigation for global technology company of dispute over design of auxiliary power unit for heavy cargo aircraft.

 

Advice on a wide range of aviation legal issues, including aircraft management agreements; pilot services arrangements; aviation insurance and reinsurance; sales, use and property taxation of aircraft; aircraft hangar leases; and artisan's lien enforcement against aircraft.