PILOTS WITH DWI
PILOTS WITH DWI, FWI & LICENSE SUSPENSIONS
If you’re Pilot with DWI and a suspended driver’s license you need a DWI Specialist who understands pilots and their special circumstances in these types of cases.
J. Gary Trichter, a CFI, CFII & MEI, was awarded his Board-Certified DWI Specialist designation by the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD).
As a pilot with thousands of hours of flight Time in fixed wing piston & turbine aircraft and in helicopters, Gary understands both the pressure and the enormous responsibility of being an aircraft pilot, and, what’s at stake when a pilot is arrested for DWI or a driver’s license suspension.
Whether you are a private or commercial pilot, no matter whether you fly airplanes or helicopters, as a Pilot faced with a DWI or a driver’s license suspension, the potential penalties can be life changing. Worse yet, they can be grounding.
The criminal and administrative laws, as well as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), can be complexed and overwhelming to the pilot charged with a DWI or driver’s license suspension. If you are that pilot, you need a DWI Specialist like Gary Trichter to guide you.
Pilots with DWI And a Suspended Driver License
A DWI Specialist knows that if you are convicted of DWI, you must file a pilot’s first-class medical application and report your status within 60 days of the conviction to the FAA as well as to the FAA Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Office (SHMSO) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In addition, if your driver’s license is suspended because you refused a breath or blood test, you must report the actions taken by the court as a result of your DUI conviction.
You must also report to the FAA Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Office (SHMSO) in Oklahoma City within 60 days if your pilot’s license is suspended through DMV proceedings.
As a pilot with a suspended driver license, if you fail to report your DWI conviction or driver license suspension, you risk further, even sharper penalties.
A DWI to a pilot could mean the end of an aviation career.
As per the Federal Aviation Regulations, under most circumstances, pilots are required to report DWI arrests on their medical applications.
Even a not guilty win must be reported and often requires some type of unnecessary remedial action.
Fortunately, Texas’s Expunction Law provides an exception to the FAA reporting requirement if pilots can wrap themselves in it.
Here, the best way to see if you can avail yourself of Texas Expunction Law is to consult with a DWI Specialist with Aviation experience, and, that would be Gary Trichter.
Let Us Help You Make Your DWI Go Stealth
What do stealth fighters, F117’s, have in common with DWI expunctions?
You can’t see either of them!
Gary Trichter Pilot Certifications
From an aviation experience perspective, Gary has multiple Certified Flight Instructor ratings, he is a CFI, CFII (Instrument), and MEI (Multi-Engine) and he provides FAA guidance to pilots charged with DWI, other intoxication offenses, and drivers license suspensions.
Gary is presently the proud owner of a Robinson helicopter, an R66, Cessna Golden Eagle 421C, and two Aero Vodochody Albatros L39Cs.
In the past he has owned a Beechcraft Bonanza V35, a Beechcraft Baron 55, a Pitts S1T, a Pitts M12, an Espano Aviation Casa Saeta Jet trainer (actually designed by Willie Messerschmitt), a North American T28C (the very first one the U.S. Navy-owned), a Hughes 500 helicopter (the military version and actual Vietnam Veteran, an OH6), and a Cessna 337 (another actual military version and Vietnam Veteran, an O2A).
Gary is a Colonel [member] in the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and formerly was the aircraft coordinator for the B25 Devil Dog. Gary is an aircraft sponsor for both the B25 “Devil Dog” and B25 “Yellow Rose”.
Gary Trichter’s Legal Experience
Gary has litigated cases in over 30 states, in Federal District Courts, and in federal district and Courts of Appeals. He is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court and Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming.
He has published over 50 legal articles; co-authored a textbook, Texas Drunk Driving Law; and taught defense lawyers, prosecutors, and judges in over 280 legal seminars.
Most important, Gary was the 1st DWI Specialist in the State of Texas.
He understands the impact on a pilot with a suspended driver’s license due to a DWI arrest.
I sent Gary an email late at night and had a response before I woke the next morning. Little did I know, it's like I turned loose a pack of dogs on the state and in less than 24 hours it was resolved. I say all this so that if you are in the middle of what seems like the worst time in your life (I was), then you not only need a team that knows every inch of the law and how to apply it to your benefit, but also a team that will continue to fight for you with vigor even 4 years after"
Experienced Pilot and DWI Attorney
Gary is also an aircraft sponsor on not only the B25 Devil Dog but also the B25 Yellow Rose. As an aside, notwithstanding that no pilot wants to jump out of a perfectly good airplane at 10,000 or 11,000 feet, Gary has four parachute jumps to his credit.
Gary is a member of the Classic Jets Aircraft Association (CJAA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and he has extensive aviation experience as an instructor, an aerobatic performer and a participant in formation flying as well as a performer in numerous CAF military-based air shows.
Gary’s wealth of knowledge combined with his more than 40+ years of lawyer experience makes him unique in knowing the pitfalls for pilots associated with having been arrested and/or suffering a driver’s license suspension, especially in DWI/DUI/BWI/FWI-related matters.
GARY TRICHTER'S AVIATION ARTICLES
Gary Trichter has been flying for almost two decades and has amassed thousands of hours of flight time. He has published several articles including:
Flying while intoxicated (FWI)
FWI Or Flying While Intoxicated Arrests Are Somewhat Rare, But They Do Happen
The Strict Rules Outlined By The FAA Regulating The Consumption Of Alcohol By Crew Members Of Any Civil Aircraft, Whether Commercial Or Private, Prohibit Anyone From Acting As A Crew Member If He Or She Has Consumed Alcohol Within 8 Hours Of A Flight, While Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs, Or With A Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Of .04 Or Greater.
Any Pilot Or Crew Member Who Is Convicted Of Violating Any Of These Provisions Can Face Imprisonment, Fines, And Revocation Of His Or Her Pilot’s License.
FWI And Implied Consent
As A Pilot, You Operate Under An Implied Consent Law That Is Similar To The Rules Governing Vehicles On The Ground.
This Law Means That If You Are Suspected Of Being Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs,
You Must Take A Chemical Test When Requested.
If You Refuse The Test, You Could Be Levied A Substantial Fine And Risk Your Pilot’s License Being Suspended Or, Worse, Revoked.
PILOT'S LICENSE AFTER A DWI
DWI And Pilot License Do Not Mix
The Penalties Are Severe And Potentially Career-Ending.
If You Are A Licensed Pilot And You’ve Been Convicted Of DWI, You Must File A Pilot’s First-Class Medical Application And Report Your Status Within 60 Days Of Your Conviction To The FAA As Well As To The Civil Action Security Division In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
DWI And Pilot’s License: The Effects
Also, If Your Driver’s License Has Been Suspended Because You Refused The Breath Or Blood Test, You Must Report The Actions Taken By The Court As A Result Of Your DUI Conviction.
Further, If Your Pilot’s License Is Suspended Through DMV Proceedings, You Must Report To The FAA Civil Action Security Division Within 60 Days.
It’s Important That You Report Your DWI Conviction Or Driver’s License Suspension Because Failure To Do So Will Risk Further, Even Sharper Penalties Including Loss Of Your Pilot’s License.
What Pilots Need to Know
In this video DWI Specialist and pilot, Gary Trichter talks about what you should do if you get a DWI as a pilot…
Should you take the field sobriety test or refuse?
Will you lose your FAA license? How long will you lose your license?
Do you have to report a DWI to the FAA?
How long do you have to report a DWI to the FAA?
All this and more in this video.
PILOT EXPUNGEMENT VS RECORD SEALING
In this video I want to talk with you about two spectacular laws in Texas dealing with expunctions and record sealing in regard to DWIs.
MEDICAL APPLICATION & EXPUNCTIONS
In this video DWI Specialist and pilot, Gary Trichter talks about Medical applications & expunctions for Pilots with a DWI.
COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES FOR PILOTS
In this video, I want to talk to you pilots about the collateral consequences for pilots who get a DWI.
Important Links for Pilots
Coming Soon!
Medical Form – Link to file electronically: FAA-8500-8 – Preview Copy
AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services: http://pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/
Coming Soon!
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the FAA’s Aerospace Medicine Decision Makers
Smooth is Fast on Medical Certification
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CASE
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Mr. Trichter and the entire staff was extremely knowledgeable, professional, caring and compassionate. Mr. Trichter has an immense amount of knowledge. Including the details and specifics of dealing with the FAA after an arrest. As a fellow aviator and aviation enthusiast there is connection and passion that is priceless. Anytime I had a question or concern I knew I could reach out and have a reliable and caring person to help me. The end result of the case was favorable but more importantly the personal growth I obtained with the help of Mr. Trichter is something I will have for the rest of my life. I am so thankful I chose Mr. Trichter to represent me.Ross “Maverick”27/10/2022
If you are in search of a good lawyer, or having doubts about choosing one that will remain in your corner and back your play, I strongly recommend Mr.Gary Trichter, Mr.Trichter along with his legal staff were super beneficial and helpful to me when I needed help the most as a good DWI team they came together and got me through one of the darkest times in my life and I couldn’t be more appreciative and thankful, all the hard work and dedication from the Trichter law team, I would strongly recommend them to anyone In need of assistance for DWI or just a good lawyer to go to bat for you in your time of need.Brandon Baker18/09/2022
Of course america, Mr trichter is the best lawyer I see ever .Paris Pshouq15/09/2022
I was referred to Mr. Trichter by a close family friend. Two of his family member had used him to represent them in their DWI case and were both very pleased with his work. After having Mr. Trichter represent me I can fully understand why. I can not express the amount of gratitude I have for him. He is an amazing attorney and the best at his job by far. But more then that he is an amazing person that truly care about his client. I will forever be great full for what he has done for me in helping me have my case dismissed. Thank you again Gary!!!Luke Fritz14/09/2022
Aaron White was very helpful and detailed. Explained things to me every step of the way and was able to get my case dismissed. Thank you very much!Josh Reynolds24/08/2022I feel very fortunate to have selected Greg Houlton to represent me in my two DUI cases. My arrests occurred within three months of each other and I was sure I'd be facing jailtime, considering the circumstances of my arrests. It was a very difficult time and I was obviously struggling in my personal life. But within the first few minutes of meeting Greg, he made me feel very comfortable and insisted that I take care of myself, first and foremost, and let him deal with the legal proceedings. So that's what I did and Greg won both of my ALR hearings and got one of my cases dismissed. I received a year and a half of probation with no jailtime or significant fine. Greg by far exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. I can't say enough about Greg and his professionalism and the calming effect he had on me throughout this stressful period.KM01/08/2022Don’t think about it twice. If you need help with a DWI hire my man Leslie LeGrand!Air Wreck03/07/2022
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.