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5 Answers

Flight instruction on a voluntary basis

Asked by: 3371 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot

Good Evening, I worked for a flight school in the US as a flight instructor for couple years and my FAA CFI and AGI certificates are still current as well as my second class medical certificate. I am planning on coming back in the US as a visitor for 6 months. One of my friends just bought an airplane and asked me If I could train him in it on a voluntary basis. Is it possible? Thank you for your time. Berthe      

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5 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Jul 05, 2013

    Sure, why not? Pretty much run-of-the-mill Part 61 instruction.

    Your biggest issue will be liability exposure. To keep it short and succinct, the typical owner’s policy does NOT protect the pilot’s CFI from liability exposure. Common CFI errors are believing they are covered by such things as meeting “open pilot” requirements or being named on the policy as either a “named pilot” or “insured,” but, if you read and understand the policy, that is generally not the case.

    For example, the typical aviation policy’s “commercial purpose” exclusion is broad enough to cover any instruction for hire. If you’re not charging your friend (if that’s what you mean by “voluntary”) this particular exclusion might not apply to you, but if you plan to rely on your friend’s insurance to protect you, you need to review the insurance contract with someone who understands these policies and get recommendations on what specific policy endorsements you will need.

    I say “generally” for a very important reason: these policies are not uniform and regulated like car insurance; they can be very different from each other.

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  2. Sam Dawson on Jul 06, 2013

    The only thing to add to what Mark wrote is to consider your legal status in the US. Are you a citizen or are you visiting? I am not sure about the immigration laws, but if you are a foreign national on a tourist visa it may be an issue.
    Having written that, if you keep it between you and your friend I don’t think immigration will spend much time trying to track you down.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Jul 07, 2013

    Excellent point, Sam.

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  4. Berthe Deloin on Jul 07, 2013

    Good afternoon,

    thank you both! yes Mark, you are right about the liability exposure. I was thinking that maybe the AOPA could help me with that and I am already a member. I know that they offer CFI policy. I won’t charge my friend because I can’t do it on a tourist visa it is not legal.

    Sam, I just asked an immigration attorney if I can give instruction on a voluntary basis on a tourist visa. Waiting for an answer…

    I will get back to you as soon as I know.

    Thanks

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  5. Jim F. on Jul 07, 2013

    Since you said you’re an AOPA member, you can’t go wrong with posing the question to their Pilot Information Center (PIC): http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Pilot-Information-Center.aspx

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