Biography
Our friend and colleague Charles (“Chuck”) R. Barnett, III was a former United States Air Force Captain, active commercial aviation pilot, and aviation attorney. He had broad experience in many aspects of aviation litigation.
Mr. Barnett had been flying airplanes since he was 16 years old. From 1982-1991, Mr. Barnett served as an aviator in the United States Air Force in worldwide strategic bomber operations. During that time, Mr. Barnett served as an Aircraft Commander on the supersonic B-1B Lancer heavy bomber and a co-pilot/instructor co-pilot on both the B-52H and B-52G Stratofortress heavy bombers. Mr. Barnett was also a pilot on the T-38 training aircraft.
Upon retiring from the USAF, Mr. Barnett became a commercial airline pilot flying both domestically and internationally for a major US airline. He was certified as an Air Transport Pilot (ATP), the Federal Aviation Administration’s highest level of civil aircraft pilot certificate. Mr. Barnett logged well over 15,000 hours flying time without accident or incident. As a civilian aviator, Mr. Barnett flew various aircraft, including the Fokker 100, Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Boeing 777. He was type-rated in the Boeing 737, 757, 767, and 777 aircraft. He also received training on the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which was the last commercial aircraft he flew during his career.
Since 2000, Mr. Barnett practiced law as an aviation attorney, in addition to working as an Air Transport Pilot. He was active in numerous aviation law related organizations, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Legal Services Panel, Allied Pilots Association, the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the Chicago Bar Association Aviation Law Committee, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association. Mr. Barnett was also a former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Aviation Law Committee.
Chuck departed us on January 22, 2023, but left in his wake a legacy of professionalism and care for others.
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.
Education
- Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
- J.D. – 2000
- Major: Concentration in Aviation Law and Related Fields
- University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
- B.S., Bachelor of Science – 1982
- Major: Business Administraiton
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dayton, Florida
- Master of Aeronautical Science – 1990
- Major: Concentration in Aeronautical Opertations
- Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- Squadron Officer School – 1989
Professional Associations
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Air Force Order of Daedalions
- Allied Pilots Association
- Chicago Bar Association, Aviation Law Section
- Experimental Aircraft Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Lawyer Pilots Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association, Aviation Law Section, Chair, 2015 to 2016
- Chicago Bar Association, Aviation Law Section, Vice Chair, 2014 to 2015
- Boeing 737 Captain Upgrade Training, 2014
- FAA Wings Safety Program Speaker, 2013
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, Major Airline, 2013
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2013
- Civil Air Patrol Pilot, 2012
- FAA Wings Safety Program Speaker, 2012
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2012
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2011
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, Major Airline, 2011
- John Marshall Law School, Aviation Law Course, Guest Lecturer, Spring, 2011
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2010
- Boeing 777 Recurrent Training, 1998 to 2014
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, 2010
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2009
- John Marshall Law School, Aviation Law Course, Guest Lecturer, 2009
- EAA Airventure, Aviation Litigation, Speaker, 2008
- Boeing 767 Initial Qualification Course, 2004
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, 2004
- SMU Air Law Symposium, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, February 2002
- International Operations Training, August 1999
- Air and Space Law Symposium, American Bar Association, June 1999
- 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
Current Employment Positions
- In Memoriam
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 2000
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2002
