Airport & Aviation Law

GDB’s airport & aviation law practice group advises the firm’s clients on numerous facets of airport operation and facilities planning.  The firm’s attorneys have experience with various airline access and regulatory issues; pertinent federal laws, such as the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 and the FAA’s orders and advisory circulars; and, numerous environmental compliance issues arising at the federal, state and local levels, including as to air quality, noise, and transportation.

Examples of GDB’s engagement include assisting with the preparation and review of airport master plans and airport layout plans, and supporting environmental compliance documentation under CEQA & NEPA; processing variances from California’s airport noise standards; developing and implementing sound insulation programs; drafting and negotiating airline and fixed base operator leases; compliance with FAA grant assurances and revenue diversion policies; and, inter-agency and community relationship building.  Through this work, GDB routinely engages with the FAA, Caltrans’ Division of Aeronautics, and other public agencies with jurisdictional engagement authorities relative to airport operation.

The firm also represents airport land use commissions in the preparation and review of airport land use compatibility plans, which are required by California’s State Aeronautics Act to address the intersection of off-airport land uses with aeronautical operations.