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6 Answers

charging for rides

Asked by: 2419 views Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations

So if i have a commercial rating and a certified aircraft all up to date, can i put a sign out by the road advertising for    ("Airplane rides..$$$$)

I'm thinking you need to be current CFI and can only give flight instuction or "discovery flights"

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6 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Aug 07, 2020

    You want to be a modern-day barnstormer, huh? Set up in a farmer’s field like in the early days?

    Sure you can as a commercial pilot. It’s not as simple as it was back then, but you just need to meet the requirements of 91.147, which are (paraphrased):

    Stay within 25 sm and don’t land anywhere else
    Apply for a Letter of Authorization from the FSDO (and comply with any rules they require)
    Have a drug and alcohol testing program

    If you wanted to go the “charity” route, that would be in 91.146, but that doesn’t seem to be what you’re asking.

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  2. KDS on Aug 07, 2020

    Then talk to an insurance agent and abandon the idea unless you think you’re going to make a bucket load of money giving rides. Believe me, if it were practical, there would be multiple signs at almost every airport advertising the same thing.

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  3. Russ Roslewski on Aug 07, 2020

    Geez, KDS, we don’t know whether the poster is serious or just asking an idle question, but man, don’t be so negative!

    There are numerous operators doing exactly what the poster asked about. One in particular I know of is Dewey Davenport http://www.gobiplanerides.com/ in Ohio. He seems to be doing okay.

    Bobsmith, if this is really something you’re interested in doing there are ways to do it. If you’re just curious if it’s even possible, then the answer is most definitely yes, it just takes some planning. I will say you’re probably not going to get much business in a clapped out old 172, but with the right airplane, niche, and marketing, and of course right location it is definitely doable.

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  4. KDS on Aug 09, 2020

    Russ, I would invite you to put some numbers on paper after talking with an insurance agent and outline how practical it would be for a pilot with only a commercial certificate to charge for rides.

    I fully realize there are unique aircraft that can draw people and charge large enough amounts of money for the flight to make money. I have seen commercial glider rides that are fantastically expensive. Just look at the prices Dewey Davenport charges for a ride in an open cockpit biplane. But there is a reason why with over 600,000 active commercial pilots in the US that there are only a few sell-a-ride operations and those are in unique aircraft or unique locations.

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  5. Gary S. on Aug 11, 2020

    I once knew an airline pilot (lots of money) who bought himself a 1922 Stinson and gave rides in it. Not saying he made any money but I know he had a lot of fun. He also attracted some of his riders because they knew of his real job. I must agree with KDS on this one. Don’t spend good money after bad unless it’s a tax write-off of course (smile).

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  6. KDS on Aug 11, 2020

    Often when you see warbirds at a small airshow, they come there on a promise of nothing more than a barbeque meal and a full tank of free fuel when they leave. Sort of like the fellow you mentioned with the 1922 Stinson. They love flying their machine and while they may not make money doing it, getting something in return for doing what they love eases the expense of ownership.

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