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4 Answers

Private pilot flying discovery flights and student pilots

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Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Can a private pilot legally conduct discovery flights for a flight school if approved by the chief flight instructor? Can a private pilot fly with student pilots legally if approved by the chief flight instructor? In both cases, can the private pilot be compensated for the flight in the form of flight hours instead of a payment? Thanks for your help in advance!

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4 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Jan 18, 2020

    Sounds like compensation to me and requires a commercial pilot certificate and a second class medical. Logging pilot time has long been considered as a form of compensation by FAA General Counsel.

    https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/1997/Harrington%20-%20(1997)%20Legal%20Interpretation.pdf

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  2. Craig on Jan 18, 2020

    Agree with Mr. Collins. Compensation with flight hours (I assume you mean free flight time) is still compensation. FAR 61.113 is the regulation governing your question along with the legal interpretation cited by Mr. Collins.

    According to 61.113(c), I think it would still be legal to cut your costs by splitting the costs with passengers, even if the passengers are from the flight school. However, you’d have to pay your equal share of the cost of the flight and NOT be compensated by the school in any way (including free flight time). For example, if it’s a 2 hour flight, you’re the pilot, there are 3 passengers and the total cost of the flight was $200, then you would need to pay your equal share of $50 ($200/4=$50), but you’d still get to log 2 hours of flight time for only paying $50. I think it would be the same as if you and your buddies decided to split the cost of a flight equally where you were the only pilot.

    There are very limited scenarios under 61.113 that allow a private pilot to be compensated, none of which appear to apply to the scenarios you described.

    §61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft.

    (b) A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if:

    (1) The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and

    (2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.

    (c) A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.

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  3. Craig on Jan 18, 2020

    flightbug,

    I remember you posted a somewhat similar question that was titled “Instructor Pressure”. You received several responses warning you of that chief flight instructor. I hope you are heeding the warnings and advice and do NOT get yourself trouble.

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  4. Tom on Feb 13, 2020

    Last I knew is a discovery flight had to be an instructional flight, which requires a CFI. Otherwise it is a 135 op taking a passenger for a ride in a plane.

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