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7 Answers

Rent My Plane

Asked by: 1812 views FAA Regulations

What regs do I have to comply with to rent my own airplane to the general public? I am not a club or flight school, just a plane owner. Thanks!

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7 Answers



  1. KDS on Aug 11, 2020

    You will want to talk with your insurance agent first. If there is an unpleasant event during the operation of an airplane you rented to someone, you stand to lose everything you have and then some.

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  2. Gary S. on Aug 12, 2020

    Just need to know about FARs. I’ve checked into the sky-high insurance already. Thanks!

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  3. Mark Kolber on Aug 12, 2020

    Make sure it’s airworthy. Generally speaking, assuming you are talking about a piston airplane, there are no special regs for renting unless you are also providing instruction, in which case you need 100 hour inspections. There may be some state laws you need to comply with, such as collecting and remitting sales tax, or airport rules.

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  4. Gary S. on Aug 12, 2020

    Mark, that’s amazing that there are no special FARs governing private party rentals. Especially since FAA rules apply to a lot of other areas. But…..o.k.. That’s great. Just wanted to run it by you ’cause I know you keep up with things. Best regards, Gary S.

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  5. Mark Kolber on Aug 13, 2020

    Gary, generally speaking, the FAA really cares only about three things in the rent/lease situation – flights for hire, flight training, and whether it’s acting as a 135 operation.

    In the case of “large” aircraft (>12,500 lbs max certificated takeoff weight), there are more requirements – See FAR 91.23. The leases have to be written, they are required to be filed with the FAA Registry, and the local FSDO has to be directly notified before the first flight under a new lease.

    I have heard (not verified) that the 12,500 weight cutoff for “light” aircraft was based on the DC3 but, ultimately it”s just an arbitrary cutoff. I guess the point is just that that there is more potential for Part 134.5 “abuse” with a shared FalconJet than a Bonanza being rented by an FBO.

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  6. KDS on Aug 13, 2020

    Years ago, putting an aircraft on lease back with an FBO had some tax advantages. Then the tax laws changed. It is still done, but not to the extent it was before.

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  7. John Scarry on Aug 16, 2020

    You only need to have 100 hour inspections if you are providing both the instructor and plane. If you are renting it out for pleasure/business use by pilots, no 100 hours are required. Likewise if you do not provide a CFI, no 100 hours are required.

    However, there are lots of ADs that come due every 100 hours so you need to be aware of them.

    §91.409 Inspections.
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) for hire, and no person may give flight instruction for hire in an aircraft which that person provides, unless within the preceding 100 hours of time in service the aircraft has received an annual or 100-hour inspection and been approved for return to service in accordance with part 43 of this chapter or has received an inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of this chapter. The 100-hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours while en route to reach a place where the inspection can be done. The excess time used to reach a place where the inspection can be done must be included in computing the next 100 hours of time in service.

    The only Chief Counsel Opinion on this that I am aware of is Packers 1984. The numbering of the regulation has changed, but the regulation is essentially the same.

    May 3, 1984
    Mr. Perry Rackers
    Jefferson City Flying Service

    Dear Mr. Rackers
    This is in reply to your request of May 1, 1984, that we render an opinion regarding the applicability of the 100-hour inspections requirement of Section 91.169(b) of the Federal Aviation Regulations to rental aircraft. Section 91.169(b) of the Federal Aviation Regulations provides that, except as noted in Section 91.169(c), a person may not operate an aircraft carrying any person, other than a crewmember, for hire, and may not give flight instruction for hire in an aircraft which that person provides unless, within the previous 100 hours of time in service, the aircraft has received either an annual or a 100-hour inspection.

    If a person merely leases or rents an aircraft to another person and does not provide the pilot, that aircraft is not required by Section 91.169(b) of the Federal Aviation Regulations to have a 100-hour inspection. As noted above, the 100-hour inspection is required only when the aircraft is carrying a person for hire, or when a person is providing flight instruction for hire, in their own aircraft. If there are any questions, please advise us.

    Sincerely, /s/ Joseph T. Brennan Associate Regional Counsel

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