Course name: Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance

Start date: 30th January 2020

Delivery method: Onsite Thursdays 6pm to 8.30pm with lectures also webcast online
with workshops onsite on Saturdays
Assessment: 3 hour closed book exam
Fee: €2,800

Programme objectives
On completion of this training programme, participants will be able to:
 Analyse the key legal issues pertaining to the sale and lease of aircraft;
 Critically evaluate the finance structures involved, how to finance an aviation
transaction, and funding available;
 Explain the key regulatory issues pertaining to aviation;
 Summarise the legal issues relating to key aviation matters, such as engines,
maintenance reserves, security, taxation, insurance, records, and repossession;
 Draft and amend the key legal and financial documents and structures in aviation
leasing and finance transactions;
 Advise on a range of aviation issues that arise in practice – be it from a lender,
lessor, lessee, or airline.

Programme Structure and Approach to Learning

Ireland is internationally recognised as the global hub for aviation leasing and finance, with
each of the top ten global aircraft lessors enjoying a presence here. Half of the world’s fleet
of leased aircraft is owned, leased, or managed in Ireland. The major industry players have
been attracted by Ireland’s stable political regime, membership of the EU, favourable time
zone, and talented workforce, not to mention our legal and regulatory advantages. In
addition, Ireland’s network of over 60 double tax treaties, combined with the absence of
withholding tax on aircraft lease rentals and a corporate tax rate of 12.5%, makes Ireland a
commercially attractive place to set up and run an aircraft leasing company.

This advanced-level diploma provides comprehensive coverage of the key aspects of the
aviation leasing and finance industry. It aims to deliver an in-depth analysis of the core legal
and practical issues that parties typically encounter in aircraft leasing and finance
transactions.

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed
below:

Module 1: Introduction to the aviation industry

 Origins of aviation industry in Ireland,
  Profile of aviation industry 2020,
 Reasons for development of Ireland as aviation hub,
 Analysis of main industry players in the sector,
 Overview of regulatory framework.

Module 2: Purchase and Leasing Aircraft

 Reasons for investing in aircraft,
 Aircraft operating lease agreements and key clauses,
 Purchasing aircraft – the practical considerations,
 Relevant purchase documentation,
 Delivery of aircraft – acceptance certificates, relevant clauses,
 Trading aircraft.

Module 3: Aviation Finance

 Commercial debt financing for aviation,
 Analysis of key capital markets structures,
 PDP financing from a leasing company and bank perspective,
 Analysis of typical Expert Credit Agencies structure (ECA),
 Function of the Export-Import Bank (US) and Irish Stock Exchange
 Typical security taken over aircraft.
Please give us a brief overview of your background.

Module 4: Regulatory environment

 Role of Irish Aviation Authority,
 The Chicago Convention, ICAO, IATA,
 The Cape Town Convention,
 The International Registry of Mobile Assets,
 European Aviation Safety Agency Regulations,
 EU Emissions Trading Scheme,
 Registration and de-registration of aircraft.

Module 5: Taxation and Aviation

 Importance of Irish tax residence,
 Tax opinions, legal opinions,
 Double taxation treaty network,
 Withholding tax,
 Section 110 Companies.

Module 6: Insurance and Aviation

 Airline aviation insurances and key clauses,
 Lease insurance provisions in aircraft operating leases,
 Lessor considerations,
 Claims management,
 Standard endorsement analysis.

Module 7: Applied leasing issues

 Jurisdictional issues,

*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained is accurate and up to date. However timetables
and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our
control.
  Redelivery of aircraft,
 Helicopters –leasing, registration,
 Engine leasing,
 Maintenance reserves,
 Aircraft records management,
 Corporate service providers

Module 8: Repossession and recovery

 Repossession in practice,
 Key documentation, key clauses,
 Material adverse changes,
 Relevant default provisions
 Termination notices,
 Applications to court,
 Enforcement –practical steps.

Module 9: Fleet planning

 Fleet planning by airlines,
 Strategies engaged,
 Case studies,
 Lessor positioning.

Module 10: Case law and future trends

 Irish and UK aviation case law update,
 Future trends for aviation industry.

Module 11: Career Panel event

This will afford students the opportunity to get expert advice from industry professionals
about how to enter the aviation industry or how to successfully move sectors within the
industry.

Workshops

Workshops are a key feature of this course. These are designed to be interactive and
involve working in groups on selected case-study problems and analysis, with an emphasis
on the application of the law to common scenarios encountered in practice.

 Saturday 29th February 2020

 Saturday 29th March 2020
 Saturday 9h May 2020
 Saturday 6th June 2020

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for the following:

 Solicitors, barristers, and trainees who advise aviation clients or who wish to join the
aviation sector;

*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained is accurate and up to date. However timetables
and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our
control.
  Professionals working in the aviation industry who wish to expand their knowledge
with a view to career advancement or moving laterally to another discipline within the
industry;
 Professionals working in aircraft leasing companies or airlines;
 Contract administrators and engineers;
 Professionals in financial institutions that fund the purchase of aircraft;
 Accountants, finance professionals, and tax consultants advising aviation clients; and
 Insurance professionals specialising in aviation insurance.

How to apply
In order to apply you must have a minimum of two years’ full-time experience in the aviation
industry, or alternatively, have must have successfully completed the Certificate in Aviation
Leasing and Finance.

We welcome applications for this course from other professionals who are suitably qualified.
Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief
CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €200. An application form can be
downloaded on our website. For any queries, contact [email protected]. Those
who have successfully completed the Certificate in Aviation Leasing and Finance Law will be
eligible for a discount on their diploma application.

The teaching faculty for this diploma comprises a fantastic array of world-renowned legal
practitioners from Ireland, UK, and the USA, along with leading aviation industry specialists.
Lecturers and tutors are drawn from the leading law firms specialising in aviation law, aircraft
leasing and management companies, the International Registry of Mobile Assets, asset
management companies, insurance companies, the Dublin Aviation Authority, and the Irish
Aviation Authority. Previous lectures have included:

Faculty
 Donna Ager, Maples Group
 Julien Basset, Apollo Aviation
 William Coleman, Holland & Knight
 Rob Cowan, Aviareto
 Catherine Deane, McCann Fitzgerald
 Jeanette Delahanty, CDB Aviation
 Patrick Farrell, Norton Rose Fulbright
 Nikki Foley, Matheson
 Dick Forsberg, Avolon
 Ben Godsell, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
 Richard Goss, Hogan Lovells
 Chris Hardisty, Clifford Chance
 Stuart Kennedy, Matheson
 Daniel Kiely, BoComm Leasing
 Kirk Malahy, Minsheng Commercial Aviation
 David McGovern, Walkers
*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained is accurate and up to date. However timetables
and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our
control.
  Yvonne McWeeney, Matheson
 Deirdre Ní Chearbhaill, Avolon
 Kieran Oliver, Shannon Engine Support
 Marie O’Brien, A&L Goodbody
 Christine O’Donovan, Mason Hayes & Curran
 Niamh O'Meara, Milestone Aviation Group
 Georgina O’Riordan, McCann Fitzgerald
 Catherine Quinlan, CQAI Consulting
 Ed Riley, Avolon
 Robert Roy, Ex-Im Bank
 Daniel Roberts, Lobo Leasing Limited
 Ken Rush, Walkers
 Brian Skehan, Irish Aviation Authority
 Mark Shtenko, DVB Bank
 Lucy Shtenko, Watson Farley Williams
 Ronan Stewart, Santos Dumont
 Gerry Thornton, Matheson
 Mary Townsend, ASL Aviation Holdings
 Jeff Veber, Vedder Price

*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained is accurate and up to date. However timetables
and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our
control.