Aery Aviation Faces Massive Fine from the FAA Over Unsafe Learjet Operations, What You Need to Know

Published on December 25, 2025

Aery Aviation, a Virginia-based aviation company, is facing a significant civil penalty of $15.7 million proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This fine has been levied due to allegations of the company conducting unsafe operations with unairworthy Learjets. The FAA’s enforcement action, detailed in a statement issued on December 22, highlights several serious violations that were allegedly committed between July 2021 and April 2022.

Alleged Unsafe Operations with Unairworthy Learjets

The primary issue revolves around the modification of Learjets by Aery Aviation, where the company reportedly installed banner- and target-towing equipment without the necessary maintenance or proper documentation. According to the FAA, such modifications require the aircraft to be placed in a restricted category, which comes with specific operational limitations. These restrictions prohibit flights over densely populated areas, in congested airways, or near airports, unless a waiver has been granted by the FAA. However, the FAA claims that Aery Aviation failed to secure the required restricted-category airworthiness certificates for these aircraft and operated them without the necessary approvals.

The FAA further alleges that, during the time period in question, Aery Aviation conducted a total of 431 flights with these unairworthy aircraft, which were not properly certified for the modifications installed. These operations were primarily carried out in Class D airspace, which includes areas near the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport (KPHF) in Virginia. Aery Aviation operates a maintenance and modification business in the region, recently expanding its operations with the construction of a new 60,000-square-foot hangar and engineering technology center. Despite these expansions, the FAA claims that the company did not follow the required protocols for operating modified aircraft in these airspaces.

Unauthorized Flights with Target-Towing and Electronic Warfare Equipment

In addition to the unairworthy Learjets, the FAA also alleges that Aery Aviation operated a total of 945 flights with target-towing and/or electronic-warfare equipment installed on their aircraft. These flights were carried out without obtaining the necessary waiver from the FAA to conduct such operations. The agency has stressed that these operations were unauthorized and placed both the aircraft and the public at risk, as they did not comply with established safety regulations.

Aery Aviation, a company with a decade of experience in the aviation industry, has been involved in developing more than 100 supplemental type certificates for both civil and defense customers. This expertise has allowed the company to build a solid reputation within the industry, particularly for its work on aircraft modifications. Despite this, the FAA’s allegations raise concerns about the safety practices employed by the company, especially in regard to the maintenance and modification of aircraft.

FAA’s Civil Penalty Proposal and Industry Impact

The FAA’s civil penalty proposal emphasizes the importance of adhering to airworthiness standards and regulatory requirements in the aviation industry. Modifying aircraft without the necessary approvals can result in serious safety risks, not just for the passengers and crew onboard but also for people on the ground. The agency has made it clear that it takes such violations seriously and will continue to hold aviation companies accountable for ensuring their operations meet the highest safety standards.

Aery Aviation now has the opportunity to respond to the FAA’s proposed civil penalty. The company may contest the fine or work with the agency to resolve the issue. Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regulatory compliance in the aviation industry. Failure to adhere to FAA standards can lead to significant financial penalties and damage to a company’s reputation, particularly for those operating in safety-critical sectors such as charter flights and air ambulance services.

Image- Aery Aviation