Illegal Charter, Operational Control, and Protecting Your Certificate – with Attorney Edward Hadley

About this episode

Seth Lake interviews aviation attorney Edward A. Hadley about the legal challenges commercial pilots face regarding illegal charter and operational control.

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth sits down with aviation attorney and pilot Edward A. Hadley of AeroLegal Advocates to talk about the legal traps commercial pilots face—especially around illegal charter , operational control , and holding out . Edward walks through what actually happens when the FAA starts looking at you or your operation: from that dreaded "call the tower" instruction or ramp check, through the investigation phase, to 709 rides, legal enforcement, ALJ hearings, and NTSB appeals. He explains why you should get an aviation lawyer involved early and why on-the-record statements can come back to haunt you. For commercial pilots flying Part 91 "pilot services," Seth and Edward dig into: What operational control really means and why it often overlaps—but isn't identical to—PIC authority Dry vs. wet leases, 91.501, and how the NBAA small aircraft exemption fits into all of this How an owner or manager can unknowingly create an illegal transportation package (plane + pilot) even when "everyone at the airport does it this way" Why "goodwill" and time-building can still count as compensation , even if no money changes hands How holding out actually works…

People in this episode

Host: Seth Lake

Guest: Edward A. Hadley

Topics covered

• illegal charter
• operational control
• aviation law
• commercial pilots
• risk management
• legal enforcement

Keywords

• aviation attorney
• commercial pilots
• FAA investigation
• operational control
• legal enforcement
• pilot services
• risk management

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AeroLegal Advocates, FAA, AOPA, NBAA, NTSB

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