Reimbursing Flight Costs

[ga_wannabe]

I am considering begining training for my private pilot certificate. I have a question regarding flying for business. I understand that without a commercial certificate I cannot charge for pilot services, but can I legally be reimbursed for expenses associated with flying for business purposes? For example plane rental, fuel, etc.

thanks

 

[skyking1976]

Hope this clears things up...

Sec. 61.113

Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (g) 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.

 

[ga_wannabe]

thanks skyking1976, if I read that right it sounds like I should be fine as long as I am not making any profit on flying.

 

[avbug]

Ga_wannabe,

It's not nearly that simple. Making a profit has nothing to do with it. Under some limited circumstances you may share expenses of the flight with a passenger, as a private pilot. But those circumstances are very limited, and you can easily be outside the regulation depending on why you are making the flight, who arranged it, etc.

A private pilot may for compensation or hire act as pilot in command, but only when acting as pilot in command is incidental to employment. An example of this would be being paid an hourly wage while flying to a meeting in another city. If you would have been paid that hourly wage weather you drove or took the bus, and if you were already going to the meeting, it's incidental to your employment.

Be careful there too, however. The specific circumstances can quickly take the operation out of the realm of legality.