Program – 2026 NBAA Aircraft Transactions Workshop

Joint Reception with 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Taxes Seminar

Welcome & Introductions

Ed Bolen, NBAA

Setting Up the Transaction

Mark Briggs, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, Inc.
David Norton, Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP

This session explains how to start your aircraft transaction on a solid foundation, covering essential steps like setting goals, understanding risks and assembling the expert team required for a successful purchase or sale.

Break

Letters of Intent & Aircraft Purchase Agreements

John Copley, Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach P.C.
David Hernandez, Vedder

This session will highlight the important provisions to include in both the Letter of Intent (LOI) and the Aircraft Purchase and Sale Agreement (APSA), detailing how the LOI defines broad terms and the APSA provides a complete roadmap for the transaction.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

Lee Brewster, Thoroughbred Aviation
Deborah Bew Liu, Aircraft Acquisitions, Inc.

Technical due diligence is critical, and this session will teach attendees how to develop a sound pre-purchase inspection strategy – whether acting as the buyer or the seller – to set the transaction up for success.

Lunch

Case Study

Workshop attendees will participate in an interactive negotiation as part of a buyer or seller team, applying the key concepts and legal principles learned during the workshop.

Transaction Closing

Amanda Applegate, Soar Aviation Law, LLC
Scott McCreary, McAfee & Taft

This session provides a step-by-step guide to the final critical moments of the aircraft transaction, covering the necessary documentation, funding procedures and key requirements for achieving a successful closing.

Break

Panel: Transaction Roadblocks

Katie DeLuca (moderator), Harper Meyer
Joanne Barbera, Barbera & Watkins, LLC
Josh Mesinger, Mesinger Jet Sales
Ehsan Monfared, YYZlaw

This panel discussion will explore the most common obstacles, unforeseen issues and complex challenges that can stall or derail an aircraft transaction, offering practical advice on how to effectively navigate them.

Post-Closing

Stewart Lapayowker, Lapayowker Jet Counsel, P.A.
Brint Smith, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

This session will detail the essential tasks that must be addressed immediately following the close of a transaction, which include crucial items like insurance, registration, setting up operations and the final filing of all necessary documents.