Greg Reigel

Beginning in 2026, space launch/reentry operators will be paying FAA licensing/permitting user fees calculated based upon their ops. I'm glad these don't apply to GA ops & hope such fees aren't in GA's future. buff.ly/3UL0Fy4

9th Cir. affirms summary judgment in favor of helicopter manufacturer based upon GARA where plaintiff's fraud exception allegations were insufficient, but remands on GARA replacement part causation issue. buff.ly/UCsR46r

Interesting fact: According to FAA, approx. 50,000 airmen are operating under Basic Med authority. buff.ly/qKuUBMG

Former A&P mechanic sentenced for parts fraud. Falsified annual inspection endorsements results in probation, fine & agreement to never again hold an airman/mechanic certificate. But no Club Fed. buff.ly/8mkYVLb

Informative article on MOSAIC and its impact on aviation insurance underwriting. buff.ly/vrCMbgO

2nd Cir. affirms dismissal of airman's claims against FAA holding FAA's legal interpretation was an interpretive rule exempt from notice-and-comment rulemaking & FAA's delay in scheduling his exam was reasonable. buff.ly/XIqqoi8

ME Ct. holds pro-we plaintiff sufficiently pled avigation-easement/inverse condemnation claim against public university for flight instruction ops but dismisses intentional infliction of emotional distress claim. buff.ly/DlffizP

5th Cir. affirms dismissal of plaintiffs' claims against Southwest Airlines alleging that flights were not safe where plaintiffs' did not suffer "injury-in-fact" required for Article III standing. buff.ly/SJcFo9H

If you are purchasing an entity that holds an FAA certificate (e.g. 135, 141, 145, etc.) make sure you do your regulatory due diligence & stay on top of the deal. I suspect plaintiff could amend to make the fraud claim stick. buff.ly/tQNaHtx

OR Ct. transfers cases arising from B737 Max port-side interior panel blow-out, holding it lacked jurisdiction & transferring case from OR to WA was appropriate rather than dismissal. buff.ly/YtO74Jy

FAA published its "Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response" program for expedited/increased enforcement actions against UAS operators who violate FARs. Let the games begin... buff.ly/r16hq6P

If you want to collect your costs of service when the defendant refuses to waive service w/out good cause, under the FRCP you need to send that written waiver request to the correct and/or authorized individual. buff.ly/EF1Lq3N

Grasping at straws.... Glad this guy won't be flying anytime soon. buff.ly/JxFDwAp

NY Ct. holds that to establish an individual “recklessly endanger[ed] the safety of . . . an aircraft” gov't must prove that the individual knew pointing the laser at the aircraft would endanger its safety. buff.ly/t3OAsdd

FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology seeks input on a variety of reforms FCC might take "to unleash American drone dominance." Comments due on or before 5/18/26. buff.ly/DDDVt2C

11th Cir. holds Spirit Airlines must remit security fees to TSA collected from customers who do not travel. Expired customer credits do not count as refunds. buff.ly/OGMPFEW

KS Ct rejects defendant aircraft purchasers' claim that the Ct lacked personal jurisdiction where the purchaser went to KS to execute the deal & help design the aircraft. buff.ly/s1nBKvI

FAA has issued an Information for Operators clarifying privileges/ limitations of CFIs w/a sport pilot rating & pilots who hold higher grade cert's than sport pilot who exercise sport pilot privileges. buff.ly/xReeJ7p

MN Ct. grants protective order to ALPA precluding disclosure of ALPA's confidential internal bargaining strategies/related discussions in response to subpoena in RLA labor law preemption case. buff.ly/8osRUQU

The Aviation Safety Information and Analysis Sharing program analyzed circle-to-land approaches & has identified several areas of interest for flight crews with a focus on review & awareness. buff.ly/3hECYsJ