The concept behind leasing a business aircraft is not inherently complex, but leases can contain potential traps for those not up to speed on the vagaries. That could lead to significant penalties from the FAA should the agency determine a purported Part 91 lease arrangement is actually an illegal charter operation.

So, how does that happen? It comes down to who holds operational control of the aircraft, noted attorney David Norton with the firm of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton during an education session at the 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).