FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)RegulationsHard
A newly certificated commercial pilot holds an airplane single-engine land rating but has not passed an instrument rating checkride. According to 14 CFR 61.133(b), what limitation is placed on this pilot's certificate regarding carrying passengers for hire?
- AThe pilot is prohibited from carrying passengers for hire on flights beyond 50 nautical miles or at night
- BThe pilot may carry passengers for hire only during daylight hours within Class G airspace
- CThe pilot may not carry passengers for hire under any circumstances until earning an instrument rating
- DThe pilot must obtain a waiver from the FAA before conducting any for-hire passenger flights
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The pilot is prohibited from carrying passengers for hire on flights beyond 50 nautical miles or at night
14 CFR 61.133(b)(1) states that a commercial pilot without an instrument rating in the same category and class will have a limitation placed on their certificate prohibiting the carriage of passengers for hire on cross-country flights exceeding 50 nautical miles or at night. This does not prevent all for-hire flying, only these specific conditions.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. There is no airspace-class-based restriction in this regulation.
- C. The pilot may still carry passengers for hire within the 50 nm/day limitation, so it is not an absolute prohibition.
- D. No FAA waiver is described in the regulation; the limitation is simply printed on the certificate.
Commercial Certificate Instrument Limitation
14 CFR 61.133(b)(1) restricts commercial pilots lacking an instrument rating from carrying passengers for hire beyond 50 NM or at night.
- The limitation is printed directly on the pilot certificate.
- Obtaining the instrument rating in the same category/class removes this limitation.
- This differs from private pilot privileges under 61.113, which restrict compensation generally.
Memory trick: "No instrument? Stay close and stay light — fifty miles, no passengers at night."