Defend Your Certificate Before It's Too Late

William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC offers legal consulting to pilots facing enforcement actions, certificate suspensions, medical certificate denials, or compliance violations that threaten their professional standing and livelihood. Drug and alcohol-related certificate actions are difficult to navigate without legal assistance. You may receive a letter of investigation from the FAA following an incident report, notice of proposed certificate action, or a violation stemming from an operational dispute or airspace infraction. The firm represents pilots and operators across the country, drawing on decades of piloting and maintenance experience and familiarity with general aviation operations to build defenses that account for both regulations and the realities of the cockpit and maintenance hangar.

When the FAA alleges a deviation, careless operation, or failure to comply with an airworthiness directive, your response determines whether you keep your certificate, accept a suspension, or face revocation. The consulting process involves reviewing the factual record, identifying substantive and procedural errors in the FAA's case, and preparing written submissions or testimony that directly address the alleged violation. Whether the issue stems from a ramp check, an accident investigation, or a third-party complaint, the goal is to protect your certification and professional reputation through accurate presentation of what actually occurred in the cockpit or in the hangar.

Reach out to discuss your FAA matter and understand your options before the response deadline passes.

You gain access to someone who understands both the Federal Aviation Regulations and the operational environment in which alleged violations occur. The firm reviews such things as logbooks, maintenance records, weather data, ATC recordings, and witness statements to reconstruct what happened and determine whether the FAA's interpretation holds up under scrutiny. The FAA is particularly zealous regarding any alleged alcohol or drug-related issues, and legal representation generally results in a better outcome in such investigations. This is not general counsel work; it requires fluency in aircraft systems, flight planning, and the decision-making pressures pilots face during actual operations.

During representation, you will submit a detailed response that either results in case closure, a reduced penalty, or a hearing where your defense is formally presented. William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC prepares clients to testify and if required coordinates with technical experts who can support your version of events. The firm also handles Medical Certificate appeals and licensing reinstatement applications when health-related denials or suspensions are at issue.

The process includes identifying applicable exemptions, demonstrating compliance with corrective actions, and negotiating remedial training in place of suspension when appropriate. The firm does not handle criminal defense or large commercial carrier litigation, focusing instead on individual pilots and operators who need targeted representation during certificate actions and compliance disputes.

Pilots dealing with enforcement actions or compliance concerns often have specific questions about timelines, penalties, and what the FAA can actually prove.

What happens if I don't respond to an FAA letter of investigation?

You lose the opportunity to present your side of the story, and the FAA may proceed with enforcement based solely on the allegations in the report, which can result in certificate suspension or revocation without a hearing.

How does prior experience as a professional pilot and mechanic help in building a defense?

It allows your attorney to identify technical inaccuracies in the FAA's interpretation of flight operations, challenge assumptions about what an airman should have known or done, and approaches cockpit decisions and aircraft maintenance from the perspective of real-life experience in the aeronautical environment.

When should I involve legal counsel instead of responding on my own?

You should involve counsel as soon as you receive a notice of investigation or proposed certificate action, especially if the alleged violation carries the possibility of suspension, if factual disputes exist, or if your livelihood depends on maintaining your certificate.

Why do some FAA cases result in training instead of suspension?

When you can demonstrate that the violation resulted from a knowledge gap rather than willful disregard, and when you cooperate fully with remedial training proposed by the FAA, the agency may accept that outcome in place of a suspension, particularly for first-time violations that did not result in injury or substantial risk.

How long does an FAA enforcement case take to resolve?

Cases can close within weeks if the FAA accepts your written response, but contested cases requiring a hearing before an administrative law judge can extend several months or even a year or so, depending on the complexity of the allegations and the availability of the parties and the judge.

If you are facing an FAA enforcement action or need guidance on compliance with medical or operational requirements, contact William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC to review your case and begin preparing a defense that reflects the realities of flight operations in Texas and beyond.