Flying Evaluation Board [F.E.B.]

Military Pilots Can Face A Loss Of Their Authority To Fly or Even Lose Their Wings

While general court-martial (and sometimes special court-martial) successes may result in more public recognition, there are many other military adverse actions that military members could face that have a dramatic negative impact on the military member’s career, future, and family. Our civilian defense lawyers handle these adverse administrative military actions. One such military adverse action is the military seeking to remove a pilot’s authorization to fly. This type of adverse action goes by different names in different service branches.

A Flying Evaluation Board (FEB) is an administrative military board hearing in which a military pilot (helicopter or fixed wing) faces the potential loss of his/her aviation qualification – “losing their wings.” In the Air Force and Army, this hearing process is referred to as a Flying Evaluation Board (FEB). In the Navy, this hearing process is referred to as a Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board (FNAEB).

This adverse action against a military pilot can result from alleged misconduct, aviation mishap, failure to progress in training, or alleged violation of aviation rules and regulations. It is an extremely serious adverse action for a military member, and pilot, to face. An FEB can have a significant impact on a military member’s career (promotion and assignments) – and could even lead to administrative discharge/separation, particularly in this time of military drawdowns. Because of this, having an experienced and aggressive civilian defense attorney on your side could be absolutely vital in these military cases.

Attorney Richard V. Stevens has handled military aviation cases in different service branches involving the following:

• F-22 (Raptor): mishap, FEB
• F-35 (Lightening): alleged violation of flying regulations, investigation
• F-15 (Eagle): various cases, F-15C, F-15E, alleged violation of flying regulations, FEBs
• F-16s (Falcon): various cases, mishaps, violation of flying regulations, and alleged misconduct, multiple FEBs for F-16 pilots
• A-10 (Warthog): mishap, FEB
• C-130 (Hercules): mishap, AIB, FEB
• T-38 (Talon): alleged violation of flying regulations, FEB
• MC-12W (Liberty): alleged violation of flying regulations, FEB
• T-38 (Talon): various cases and multiple FEBs for T-38 pilots in training alleging training failures and failure to progress
• T-37 (Tweet): various cases and multiple FEBs for T-37 pilots in training alleging training failures and failure to progress
• T-6 (Texan): various cases and multiple FEBs for T-6 pilots in training alleging alleging training failures and failure to progress
• C-21 (Learjet): mishap, safety board
• CH-47 (Chinook): alleged misconduct, FEB
• P-3 (Orion): alleged violation of flying regulations, FNAEB
• AH-64 (Apache): various cases and multiple FEBs for pilots alleging training failures and failure to progress
• E/A-18G (Growler): alleged training failure and failure to progress, FNAEB
• F/A-18 (Super Hornet): alleged training failure and failure to progress, FNAEB
• F/A-18 (Super Hornet): another alleged training failure and failure to progress, FNAEB

Our civilian defense attorneys defend military members facing FEBs, including written responses to the basis for the action, appearing with the military member at his/her formal board hearing, and appealing adverse outcomes. Our attorneys also represent and defend military pilots facing Accident Investigation Boards (AIB) and Safety Investigation Boards (SIBs) after an aviation or ground mishap. Attorneys Stevens and Spinner are civilian criminal defense attorneys and former active duty military JAG lawyers who exclusively practice military law and defend military members stationed around the world who are facing military trials, disciplinary actions, appeals, adverse actions, board hearings, and investigations.

If you’re facing a military FEB (Flying Evaluation Board), AIB (Accident Investigation Board), or SIB (Safety Investigation Board) please don’t hesitate to seek the legal help you’re going to need. For a free initial case consultation, please contact us.