FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)RegulationsHard
Company A leases an airplane, along with a flight crew employed by Company A, to Company B to transport Company B's cargo and passengers for compensation. Company A retains operational control of the flights. This arrangement is best classified as which of the following, requiring Company A to hold appropriate Part 119 operating authority?
- AA dry lease, since only the aircraft is being provided
- BA public aircraft operation not subject to Part 119
- CPrivate carriage, exempt from Part 119 certification
- DA wet lease, since the lessor supplies both aircraft and crew and retains operational control
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. A wet lease, since the lessor supplies both aircraft and crew and retains operational control
When an operator provides both the aircraft and a flight crew and retains operational control, the arrangement is a wet lease. Because Company A is providing transportation for compensation to another party while retaining operational control, it is conducting common carriage and must hold the appropriate Part 119 operating certificate.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A dry lease involves only the aircraft, with the lessee providing crew and operational control
- B. Public aircraft operations involve government entities, not applicable to this commercial transaction
- C. Private carriage typically involves carriage under contract without holding out to the public and different operational control arrangements, not applicable here
Wet Lease vs Dry Lease
A wet lease provides both aircraft and crew with the lessor retaining operational control, typically requiring Part 119 certification; a dry lease provides only the aircraft, with the lessee providing crew and operational control.
- Wet lease = aircraft + crew, lessor retains operational control
- Dry lease = aircraft only, lessee supplies crew/control
- Operational control determines certification requirements
Memory trick: 'Wet lease, crew and control stay with the lessor.'