As a means to prevent illegal charters, six U.S. general/business aviation alphabet groups have joined to produce the General Aviation Dry Leasing Guide, which presents key regulatory information related to charters at a time when the FAA is increasing its scrutiny over illegal charter flights.
“The vast majority of general aviation flights—including those conducted under dry leasing arrangements—are done in complete compliance with FAA regulations,” said AOPA general counsel Justine Harrison. “We helped develop this guide to provide clarity in the wake of federal concerns over some running afoul of the law.”
Joining AOPA in the development of the free, 17-page guide are NBAA, Experimental Aircraft Association, National Air Transportation Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Helicopter Association International. The guide offers best practices for proper use of dry leases—in which the lessor supplies an aircraft for charter but leaves it to the lessee to provide the flight crew and have operational control of the aircraft—and clarifies how aircraft owners can benefit from such arrangements while enhancing the industry’s vigilance of preventing illegal charters.
The FAA has stepped up its efforts against illegal charters through its Safe Air Charter initiative, prompting aircraft owners and lessors to seek more clarity on dry leases.