Andrew M. Riolo

Andrew Riolo has a passion for aviation and the law, he leads our aviation and air and space team.  He is an experienced attorney, pilot, businessman and engineer.

ATTORNEY
Andrew graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in two and one half years while flying full time as an American Airlines pilot. He passed the bar exam in North Carolina, South Carolina and the District of Columbia. He is authorized to appear in these state courts, the federal courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Andrew successfully represents aviation manufacturers, airlines, corporations, pilots, flight schools and fixed base operators. He has over twenty years of experience in working with and representing pilots and business entities before the Federal Aviation Administration. As an attorney he has represented the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and serves as a panel attorney for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

PILOT
Andrew has over 35,000 hours of flight time. He holds the aeronautical ratings of Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Private Pilot, and Flight Engineer.  He is a Flight Instructor in single and multi-engine aircraft. He is licensed to instruct students to obtain an instrument rating (CFI-MEI). He has given over 2,500 hours of flight instruction and received over 3,000 hours of instruction. He is rated in seaplanes and sailplanes.

As a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, he flew the E-3A AWACS and the KC-135 Tanker. Andrew is type rated in the A330 and A320 series of aircraft, B-767, B-757, B-737, B-727, F100, and F28.  Andrew is honored to receive the title of Captain Emeritus from America Airlines. Captain Riolo flies an A330 for American Airlines flying international routes to Europe, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Captain Riolo’s American Airline duties are now as an instructor on the A330.

Andrew completed para-trooper jump school with the U.S. Army. He received his Flight Engineer rating at the American Airlines Flight Academy.

CHARLOTTE AIRPORT, CLT 
Andrew’s passion for aviation and civic duty earned him a current seat on the Charlotte Airport Commission where he serves as Chairman. Andrew was a founder and organizer for the USO at CLT. He now serves on the Board of Directors for the USO CLT.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
United States Air Force Academy, B.S. Civil Engineering
Queens University of Charlotte, McColl School of Business, M.B.A.
University of South Carolina, Doctor of Laws, J.D.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND HONORS
Member Royal Aeronautical Society, MRAeS
Air & Space Law Bar
National Transportation Safety Board Bar
Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, Member and Panel Attorney
Airline Pilots Association
Lawyers-Pilots Bar Association
Italian-American Bar Association
First Flight Society
North Carolina Real Estate Broker
South Carolina Real Estate Broker