FBOs are unique businesses with unique legal issues.

William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC provides legal services to Fixed Base Operators and aviation service providers who need assistance with contracts, leases, compliance with FARs, and litigation. Regulatory oversight and customer expectations create constant legal exposure. You may be negotiating a fuel supply agreement with a distributor, drafting service contracts for transient aircraft, renewing a lease with an airport authority, or responding to a claim involving aircraft damage or personal injury on your ramp. The need for legal services from the standpoint of both prevention and cure is substantial. The firm serves clients across Texas and the rest of the country, bringing an understanding of day-to-day FBO operations and legal strategies that mitigate risk and support business continuity.

FBOs face unique legal challenges because they operate under FAA oversight, state and federal fuel regulations, airport minimum standards, and contractual obligations to aircraft owners, pilots, and vendors. Disputes arise under a wide variety of operations and circumstances. Unexpected problems can attend fuel operations from vendor delivery to delivery into the aircraft, maintenance or line service that results in aircraft damage or personal injury, when leases impose operational restrictions, or when liability waivers fail to hold up after an incident. The firm drafts and reviews legal documents needed to successfully run any kind of FBO.

Reach out to discuss your contract needs or liability concerns before a dispute escalates.

You gain contracts that clearly define service scope, payment terms, liability limits, and procedures for handling claims, reducing the chance that a misunderstanding with a customer or vendor results in litigation. The firm reviews fuel supply agreements to ensure pricing terms are enforceable, delivery schedules are realistic, and quality standards are clearly stated with testing and remediation procedures. It also drafts service agreements that specify what is included in line service, fueling, hangar rental, and maintenance coordination, so customers cannot claim you failed to deliver services that were never part of the agreement.

Your FBO should have documents that give you as much protection as possible from liability claims arising from property damage or personal injury. The firm can assist with lease negotiations to ensure your rights are preserved and that you are not held responsible for problems beyond your control. If you are an airport sponsor, we can help you maintain good status with the FAA regarding required assurances.

The firm does not handle employment discrimination litigation or criminal defense, focusing instead on contracts, regulatory compliance, and liability mitigation specific to aviation service providers. It also advises FBOs on insurance requirements, helping you understand what your policy actually covers when a claim is filed and whether your vendor agreements shift liability inappropriately.

Fixed Base Operators managing daily service, fuel sales, and hangar leases often have questions about contracts, compliance, and liability when incidents occur.

What happens if a pilot claims my line crew damaged their aircraft during towing?

Your liability hinges on whether you have a signed service agreement, what coverage your insurance provides, and whether you can document that your crew followed standard towing procedures using appropriate equipment, which is why written procedures and incident reports are critical to defending these claims.

How do I protect my FBO if fuel contamination is discovered after delivery?

Your fuel supply agreement should specify testing procedures, quality standards, and the distributor's responsibility for remediation and claims. You should document your own testing and filtration processes to demonstrate that contamination did not occur on your premises or through your handling. Always obtain a fuel sample from your delivery systems immediately upon indication that there may have been a case of fuel contamination.

When can I terminate a vendor contract without penalty?

You can terminate without penalty if the contract includes specific performance standards or terms that the vendor has failed to meet. Most contracts include termination provisions that can be negotiated by the parties. You must follow the notice and dispute resolution procedures stated in the agreement to avoid breach claims.

Why do airport leases sometimes restrict the services I can offer?

Airport authorities may impose minimum standards or exclusive-use restrictions to ensure safety, manage competition, or comply with federal grant assurances, so your lease must clearly define what services you are permitted to provide and under what conditions those rights can be modified or revoked. However, if the airport receives federal funds, the airport sponsor cannot improperly discriminate against service providers or impose unreasonable restrictions.

If your FBO is negotiating a contract, facing a liability claim, or needs guidance on compliance with airport or state regulations, contact William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC for assistance in resolving the problem.