Donavan Lobello VS Blue Line Aviation, LLC

Case Background

On August 30, 2023, Donavan Lobello sued Blue Line Aviation for breach of contract in Wake County Superior Court, North Carolina (Case No. 23CV024224-910). He alleged the school failed to provide promised flight training and sought financial damages.  Judge Matthew Houston presided over this case.

Cause

Donavan Lobello, a resident of Hamburg, New York, enrolled in Blue Line Aviation’s Career Pilot Program on June 15, 2022. He agreed to pay $91,575.00 for flight training, which included 153 single-engine hours, 35 flight simulator hours, 25 multi-engine hours, and 450 instructor hours. Blue Line Aviation, a North Carolina-based flight school, promised to provide comprehensive pilot training.

Lobello financed $82,417.50 through ZuntaFi and had to comply with the school’s attendance policies. He began training on August 15, 2022, but soon encountered issues. The school canceled multiple classes and provided inadequate instruction. Instructors failed to administer quizzes, did not offer proper IFR training, and ignored Lobello’s concerns. The Defendant also logged incorrect training hours in its system, which disrupted Lobello’s progress. After two weeks of unaddressed complaints, he withdrew from the program.

Injuries

Lobello suffered financial damages exceeding $25,000 due to the Defendant’s failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. He incurred a $2,625.00 penalty for breaking his lease and continued to make payments on his ZuntaFi loan without receiving the promised flight training. Blue Line Aviation refused to refund his tuition and additional fees, adding to his financial burden.

The Defendant’s deceptive trade practices wasted Lobello’s time and hindered his career in commercial aviation. He had expected to receive structured pilot training but instead faced repeated delays and misleading promises.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Donavan Lobello
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: William Edward Morgan
  • Defendant(s): Blue Line Aviation, LLC
    • Counsel for Defendants: Matthew C. Burke | Robert C. DeRosset

Claims

Lobello sued Blue Line Aviation, alleging breach of contract and unfair trade practices under North Carolina law. He claimed the school misrepresented its ability to provide high-quality pilot training. He also argued that Blue Line Aviation fraudulently induced students into one-sided contracts and unilaterally changed agreements.

The Defendant allegedly misled Lobello about the availability of instructors and imposed a $20,000 cancellation fee. The Plaintiff sought compensation for financial losses, treble damages under North Carolina’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and attorney’s fees.

Defense

Blue Line Aviation denied breaching its contract with Donavan Lobello. It argued that the agreement’s terms governed the dispute. The company admitted that Lobello enrolled in its flight training program and secured financing for tuition. However, it claimed the contract’s provisions spoke for themselves and refuted allegations of inadequate instruction.

The Defendant acknowledged some class cancellations but justified them as necessary for student health and safety, citing COVID-19 precautions. Blue Line also confirmed it had not refunded all of Lobello’s payments but stated that it had issued partial refunds in line with contractual terms.

The company further argued that its business activities did not qualify as “commerce” under North Carolina law. It claimed that flight instruction constituted a professional service exempt from unfair and deceptive trade practice claims. Even if a contract breach had occurred, Blue Line contended that it did not amount to an unfair or deceptive practice. The Defendant asked the Court to dismiss the lawsuit, deny Lobello’s claims, and award its legal costs and attorney’s fees.

Jury Verdict

On January 29, 2025, the jury ruled in favor of Blue Line Aviation. It found that the company did not breach its contract with Donavan Lobello.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com