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<500 hour private pilot question

Asked by: 3308 views Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Private Pilot

Here is the situation...I am working with someone on a charity prize. We are looking at an auction for certain items, and one idea was floated was an hour flight. Now, some background, I'm under 500hrs and I am a private pilot. Typically when I go flying and I bring people up, I don't share the costs...I incur 100% of the cost for the flight myself. Now, I know strictly, I cannot preform charity flights (airplane rides, Angel Flight, and so on) if I have total time of under 500hours. If someone donates $XXX to the charity, then can I take them up for a flight as a thank you? I would pay for the hourly rate of the aircraft, so no money is crossing paths between the charity or the FBO. I am not representing myself as a company, a part of the charity or anything that could tie me in legally. I also will not claim a deduction because that could be considered as compensation for the flight under charity rules...so my question is simply, is this legal? I'm floating this question to all of you before I even consider this idea. I am not interested in even mentioning if I am contemplating of breaking a reg. What are your thoughts? Thanks, Trevor

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4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Oct 20, 2015

    You stated “If someone donates $XXX to the charity, then can I take them up for a flight as a thank you?”

    That would seem to make the flight contingent on the “someone” having made a donation. In other words, the flight would not take place unless the individual gives money to the charity.

    Is there no other pilot who meets the requirements of 91.146 available?

    Is it important that the charity receive a donation or is it more important that you personally conduct the flight that would ensue from the donation?

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  2. Trevor W. Noman on Oct 20, 2015

    Kris,

    No, I\’m the only pilot. And no, the flight is not contingent on the donation…however perception would be that it was.

    Personally, I don\’t think it is legal, but that is why I\’m asking the question.

    Trevor

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  3. Kris Kortokrax on Oct 20, 2015

    You mentioned an FBO. To me, that suggests that there might be another pilot in the area who could conduct the flight.

    When you say that you are the only pilot, it makes me think that you are in some isolated part of the world where there are no other pilots.

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  4. jeff on Oct 20, 2015

    You dont meet the 500 hour requirement, you would not be legal. And if heavens forbid there was an accident or incident, your insurance would probably use that fact to not cover and damage or liability. You would be taking a huge risk. Find a qualified pilot per the regs.

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