Many years ago, AOPA established the Legal Services Plan administered by the AOPA Service Corporation to provide counseling and pay most of the attorney fees in FAA enforcement actions brought against pilots for violations of the federal aviation regulations (FARs). Over the years, the plan has been expanded to provide legal counseling and representation following an aircraft accident; in connection with drug or alcohol testing; in response to state or local government charges of violations of their flight rules; in federal income tax matters involving aviation activities; and in review of hangar, tiedown, aircraft rental, and aircraft leaseback agreements. The plan even allows for a free half-hour consultation with a panel attorney on any aviation legal matter. And, the plan was recently revised to include coverage for Customs enforcement matters and review of aircraft sales and purchase agreements.
If you find yourself in any of these circumstances, it is in your best interest to immediately contact someone who can give you competent assistance - usually a lawyer with knowledge of aviation law. Normally, getting this kind of assistance takes time - first to find someone with the necessary knowledge and then to deal with the problem itself. Even if you already have an attorney for business or personal matters, he or she may not have any experience with aviation law or FAA procedures. And, it takes money - often more than you have budgeted to spend on protecting your certificate. AOPA members may obtain the kind of assistance that may be needed to defend themselves quickly and inexpensively by joining the AOPA Legal Services Plan. For members of the plan, help is only a phone call away.
The plan provides for unlimited telephone consultation with counselors at AOPA headquarters, and plan members are encouraged to contact the counselors as soon as there is even a hint of trouble. If the matter escalates and referral to an attorney is warranted, the plan will pay for most of the attorney fees associated with representing you. You may use your own attorney or you can select one from a panel of attorneys who have agreed to biennially attend an AOPA-sponsored seminar on how to handle plan matters.
AOPA's Legal Services Plan has become one of the most effective and least expensive ways to get legal advice and representation in your aviation-related activities. The plan is available to all AOPA members, and the fees for this membership benefit are modest - just $26 a year for pilots exercising the privileges of a student or private pilot certificate. The fees are higher for those with commercial or ATP privileges.
It isn't possible to describe here all of the details of the plan. Complete information is available by calling 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672) or visiting AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/legalservices3.html ). It's important to study the AOPA Legal Services Plan brochure and the detailed plan description to understand the benefits and restrictions of the coverage. Learn how having access to legal representation could benefit you before you need it, as the plan only covers matters that occur during your membership period. The AOPA Legal Services Plan may be an affordable investment in protecting yourself in aviation legal matters. Like a parachute, you hope you don't have to use it, but it can be reassuring to know you have it.
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