The Covered Benefits of the Legal Services Plan

This information is important to review so that you can verify that you are enrolled in the level that’s appropriate for your type of flight activities.

The following is a list of the Plan benefits and a brief description of each. The associated number of coverage hours varies by benefit and level (Basic vs Plus). It should also be noted that in order for a matter to be covered by the Plan, it must arise from an event during your period of Plan membership. Please read the Plan Description for full details.

Benefit A - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Enforcement Actions

Support and representation in matters concerning an FAA action to suspend or revoke your airman certificates or to assess a civil penalty.

Benefit B - Accidents, Alcohol Tests, or Drug Tests

Support and representation in matters concerning aircraft accidents or incidents wherein you were a crewmember or owner of the aircraft, or if you were asked to take a test for alcohol or drugs in connection with your flight activities.

Benefit C - State or Local Actions, Civil Penalty Court Cases, U.S. Customs and Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Support and representation in matters concerning defense of a state or local government action against you based upon an alleged violation of state or local government flight rules in connection with your operation of an aircraft (not including UAS or model aircraft);

Defense of an action to recover an FAA civil penalty against you that is referred to the Attorney General and prosecuted in U.S. District Court, when the action is based on an incident wherein you were acting as a pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer, remote pilot with small UAS rating, or model aircraft operator; and

Representation in administrative proceedings or defense in U.S. District Court in an action involving:

1. seizure/forfeiture by U.S. Customs of an aircraft owned by you resulting from your alleged violation of any U.S. Customs rule during your operation of an aircraft, UAS, or model aircraft;

    

2. assessment of a civil penalty by U.S. Customs resulting from your alleged violation of any U.S. Customs flight rule during your operation of an aircraft, UAS, or model aircraft; or

    

3. assessment of a civil penalty by the TSA resulting from your alleged violation of any TSA flight rule during your operation of an aircraft, UAS, or model aircraft.

Benefit D - Aircraft Purchase or Sales

Consultation with an attorney regarding your purchase of an aircraft or your sale of an aircraft that you own.

Benefit E - Tax Matters

Representation at an IRS Appeals Conference if the IRS has examined your individual tax return and disallowed aircraft operating expenses and/or pilot educational expenses (the deductions in question must have been claimed in an individual tax return due and filed during your membership in the Plan).

Representation in Tax Court, U.S. Claims Court, or U.S. District Court for matters covered in the above paragraph.

Benefit F - Document Review and Critique

On your behalf, the Legal Services Plan staff will review and critique one hangar or tie-down agreement, aircraft rental agreement, and aircraft leaseback agreement per enrollment year.

Benefit G - Free Half-Hour Consultation with AOPA Panel Attorney

You are entitled to one free half-hour consultation with a Panel Attorney during the enrollment year regarding an aviation-related legal matter involving you and not specifically covered by the Plan.

For full details, please read the Plan Description or feel free to contact our office with any coverage questions that you may have.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 6pm (eastern). Our number is 1-800-872-2672. Press option #4 for the Legal Services Plan.