David Norton

David T. Norton is head of the firm’s aviation law practice and a member of the firm’s management committee. He has a nationally recognized aviation law practice that encompasses a broad range of regulatory, transactional and commercial issues, including various transactional matters such as whole and fractional aircraft sale and purchase; management, leasing, hangaring and refurbishment arrangements; and commercial civil litigation and arbitration disputes involving the ownership, operation and manufacture of aircraft and aircraft parts. He also handles disputes involving other aviation-related businesses and overall aviation-related risk management planning.

Mr. Norton served as the Industry Co-Chair of the joint FAA/Industry RVSM LOA Process Enhancement Team of the Performance based Advisory Rule Marketing Committee, as well as on the Applicability Working Group of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135/125 Advisory Rulemaking Committee, the FAA’s effort to review and potentially rewrite the regulations that govern all on-demand commercial aviation transportation activity in the United States.

Mr. Norton was an officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1993, serving primarily as a KC-10A pilot and aircraft commander. He received several military decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Aerial Achievement Medal for his contributions in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Restore Hope. Mr. Norton holds many civil certificates and ratings issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. He is an airline transport pilot (multi-engine land) with a DC-10 type rating, and a commercial pilot (single engine land). He also maintains his certification as a flight instructor, instrument and multi-engine, as well as an advanced ground and instrument instructor.