Geoff serves as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association representative for the Austin Bergstrom Airport. Geoff has also owned, operated and piloted a Fairchild Merlin IVA, and now enjoys flying a G1000 Cessna Turbo 206. Geoff holds a commercial pilot certificate, single and multi-engine land and has almost 1,000 hours as a flight instructor and gold seal ground instructor. In the 70s and early 80s, Geoff also flew as a Part 135 charter pilot, criss-crossing the United States to help put himself through college and law school. His experience as a lawyer, combined with his aviation background has provided countless aviation clients with serious and effective counsel for their commercial aviation needs.
Case Studies
Geoff recently represented an aircraft engine repair station in claims through the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition process in a contract bidding dispute. The case was resolved to the benefit of the aircraft repair station in a confidential settlement with the FAA.
Geoff has successfully represented Part 135 charter companies in response to FAA investigations, enforcement actions and incident matters.
Geoff tried and obtained a judgment against a repair station with a finding that the company’s malpractice caused an engine “hot start” that had previously and improperly been blamed on pilot error. The judgment allowed the owner of the aircraft to recover the significant costs to repair the damaged engine.
Geoff is currently working on an investigation of incidents relating to “blue ice” falling from airliners along arrival routes. The investigation includes tracking the events and the evidence to determine which airline, and which aircraft is responsible for the damage caused by the falling debris.
In addition, Geoff’s aviation practice has involved matters including:
Aviation insurance disputes
Litigation with aircraft manufacturers
Defense of regional airlines and Part 135 operators in FAA investigations and enforcement actions
Representation of airline pilots in employment issues
Ramp damage to jet aircraft
Disputes over aviation sales contracts
FAA ODRA litigation
Consultation with aircraft buyers and owners concerning the chartering of their aircraft
Part 135 aircraft management agreements
Part 135/Department of Defense contracts and related disputes
Afghanistan aircraft operations and DOD aircraft charter subcontracting
ACMI agreements
FAA investigations of repair station policies and procedures
FAA investigations of Part 135 operators policies, procedures and operating specifications
Contractual disputes with simulator training facilities
