Charles R. Barnett III
Aviation Attorney
Charles R. Barnett III was an aviation attorney based in Lake In The Hills, Illinois, at the Lake In The Hill Airport (3CK). Mr. Barnett represented pilots and mechanics throughout the world in enforcement actions before the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. In addition, he represented pilots and air traffic controllers seeking assistance with FAA medical certification issues.
He had been flying airplanes since he was 16 years old. After 8 years of active duty flying in the United States Air Force flying B-52 and B-1 bombers, Mr. Barnett was hired by a major airline and served as a captain on the Boeing 737, flying both international and domestic routes.
He held an ATP certificate and was type-rated in the Boeing 737, 757, 767, and 777 aircraft, and had accumulated over 16,000 hours of flying time. He was married and the proud father of four children.
Mr. Barnett was active in numerous aviation law-related organizations, including Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Legal Services Panel, Allied Pilots Association, Speaker at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Aviation Law Committee, Experimental Aircraft Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association.
Charles Rayburn “Chuck” Barnett, III passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children.
Education
- Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois; Juris Doctor, May 2000, Concentration in Aviation Law and related fields of study. Admitted and practices in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida; Master of Aeronautical Science 1990 Concentration in Aeronautical Operations
- Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; Squadron Officer School, 1989
- University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois Bachelor of Science; Business Administration 1982
- Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; Attended 1978-1980, Dean’s List
Professional Background
2001-2023: Licensed Practicing Attorney
Currently the principle attorney of Barnett Law Offices, LLC concentrating in the area of Aviation Law with an emphasis on FAA enforcement action defenses and FAA medical certificate issues. Mr. Barnett is also an AOPA Legal Services Plan Attorney.
1991-2023: Airline Pilot, Major Airline
Currently employed with a major airline as a captain on Boeing 737 aircraft operating on international and domestic flights. Logged over 16,000 hours flying time without accident or incident. Over 10,000 hours as an airline transport pilot. Aircraft piloted include Fokker 100, Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Boeing 777. Flew as a flight engineer on Boeing 727.
1982-1991: Military Pilot, Captain, United States Air Force, Aircraft Commander of $280 million B-1B. Co-pilot/instructor co-pilot B-52H and B-52G. Worldwide strategic bomber operations. Pilot T-38. Supervisor of Flying. Runway Supervisory Officer. Awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Aviation Licenses
- Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane Single & Multiengine Land, Type rated in Boeing 737, 757, 767 and 777 aircraft. Licensed pilot for over 35 years.
- Flight Engineer, Turbojet Powered, Experience in Boeing 727.
Professional Training And Experience
- Boeing 737 Recurrent Training, every nine months, December 2014 to 2023.
- AOPA FAA Enforcement Seminar for Attorneys, September 2017.
- AOPA FAA Enforcement Seminar for Attorneys, September 2015.
- AOPA FAA Enforcement Seminar for Attorneys, October 2013.
- AOPA FAA Enforcement Seminar for Attorneys, September 2011.
- Chair, Chicago Bar Association, Aviation Law Section, 2015-2016.
- Vice-chair Chicago Bar Association, Aviation Law Section, 2014-2015.
- Boeing 737 Captain Upgrade Training, March 2014.
- FAA Wings Safety Program Speaker, October 2013.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, major airline, August 2013.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2013.
- Civil Air Patrol Pilot, June 2012.
- FAA Wings Safety Program Speaker, May 2012.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2012.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, March 2012.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2011.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, major airline, May, 2011.
- Guest Lecturer: John Marshall Law School, Aviation Law Course, Spring 2011.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, August 2010.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2010.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, January 2010.
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, February 2010.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2009.
- Guest Lecturer: John Marshall Law School, Aviation Law Course, Spring 2009.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, March 2009.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2008.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, June 2008.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, September 2007.
- Speaker, EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, July 2007.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, November 2006.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, February 2006.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, May 2005.
- Boeing 767 Initial Qualification Course, October 2004.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, January 2004.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, April 2003.
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, February 2004.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, July 2002.
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, February 2002.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, October 2001.
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, July 2000.
- International Operations Training, August 1999.
- Boeing 777 Initial Qualification Course, July 1999.
- Air and Space Law Symposium, American Bar Association, June 1999.
- Boeing 757, 767 Initial Qualification Course, December 1998.
- Fokker 100 Recurrent Training, annually from 1992 to 1998.
- Fokker 100 Initial Qualification Course, November 1991.
- B-1B Aircraft Commander Course, United States Air Force, January 1989.
- B-1B Initial Qualification Course, United States Air Force, July 1987.
- Aircrew Survival School , United States Air Force, June 1984.
- B-52 Initial Qualification Course, United States Air Force, May 1984.
- Undergraduate Pilot Training, United States Air Force, November 1983.
