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FAA to officially rule on flight-sharing services
There's been a lot of debate about the legality of flight sharing services like FlyteNow and AirPooler, but AirPooler has officially requested the FAA's legal interpretation to put the matter to bed. (techcrunch.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I would be interested in a bulletin board website pilots to share rides only with other pilots whether for a $100 dollar burger trip/safety pilot etc. I wonder if the FAA would have any opinion on that.
I read a couple of the comments, no time to scroll through all, would like to, but, this is what i was thinking when reading about this. I am in canada, so i don't know how it would apply in other places.
But, for someone to pickup a passenger in a personal car and that person happens to contribute something towards the cost of the trip, and then there is an accident, and the passenger gets hurt, they could sue the driver and it would be a new matter to deal with. Because now the driver is accepting something, will say money to make it easier, as a payment. to which it is illegal, but how many people really know this. That is why when a taxi company starts up they have to get the RIGHT insurance to be safe should something happen.
how does this apply to the topic of flight sharing?
But, for someone to pickup a passenger in a personal car and that person happens to contribute something towards the cost of the trip, and then there is an accident, and the passenger gets hurt, they could sue the driver and it would be a new matter to deal with. Because now the driver is accepting something, will say money to make it easier, as a payment. to which it is illegal, but how many people really know this. That is why when a taxi company starts up they have to get the RIGHT insurance to be safe should something happen.
how does this apply to the topic of flight sharing?
Isn't this considered Holding Out? You are more or less advertising your services to ANY (keyword) bidder, which is prohibited without an operating certificate. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see the FAA approve this...but I have my doubts.
FlyteNow's position is that "holding out" does not apply because the flights are not operated under Part 119: http://blog.flytenow.com/the-legality-of-ride-sharing-in-aviation
Personally, it seems like a bit of a circular argument to me - "You're not flying commercially because you're not holding out, because you're not flying commercially."
I'm curious to see what the FAA has to say about this, but I can't see myself ever being associated with this. I like my certificate too much.
Personally, it seems like a bit of a circular argument to me - "You're not flying commercially because you're not holding out, because you're not flying commercially."
I'm curious to see what the FAA has to say about this, but I can't see myself ever being associated with this. I like my certificate too much.
I own a legal FAA Part 135 air charter company that has had a perfect safety record since we started in 1986. We have always had the most competition from the Part 91 guys who offers their service illegally. The FAA does not have the authority to stop these people. They have not been able to stop it even when the public has reported these illegal flight operations to them. How in the world would anyone expect the FAA to regulate pilots listing expense sharing flights on the internet. The FAA does not have the man power to complete their job task now and if you add to their workload then you would have to add more inspectors and there is no money for that. The Department of Transportation has much more authority than the FAA. The can actually put pilots in jail. The perfect example is the Challenger accident at Teterboro. Several people involved with the operation of that jet went to jail. The FAA could never accomplish that. They have no real power to enforce the regulations unless you have an air carrier certificate.
If I were a private pilot,I'd consider the risk factor of whack jobs/nut bags who might want to use your plane and skill to carry out some type of dirty deed at gunpoint or some other threat. (" Oh hey, Mr. pilot, Do as I say or the bomb in my luggage/carry on, will blow this thing to smithereens");0 !