FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Hard
A private pilot invites three friends on a personal cross-country flight and asks each of them to pay an equal share of the fuel cost, including the pilot's own share. According to 14 CFR 61.113, under what condition is this arrangement permitted?
- AThe pilot may accept full payment from the passengers as long as the flight is not for hire
- BThe pilot may charge a flat fee not exceeding $75 per passenger regardless of actual costs
- CIt is never permitted; private pilots may not accept any payment from passengers
- DThe pilot must pay at least an equal pro rata share of the operating expenses, limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The pilot must pay at least an equal pro rata share of the operating expenses, limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees
14 CFR 61.113(c) permits a private pilot to share operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the pilot pays at least a pro rata share (e.g., 1/4 if there are 3 passengers plus the pilot), and expenses are limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The pilot must pay a proportional share; accepting full payment from passengers would exceed the private pilot's compensation limits.
- B. There is no flat-fee provision in 61.113; expenses must be actual pro rata shares, not a fixed charge.
- C. Private pilots may share expenses under specific conditions; the arrangement is not outright forbidden.
Private Pilot Compensation Exception (61.113(c))
A private pilot may share the operating expenses of a flight with passengers if the pilot pays at least a pro rata share, limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.
- Pilot must pay own pro rata share too
- Limited to fuel, oil, airport fees, rental fees
- Other exceptions: charitable flights, search and rescue, aircraft sales demos
Memory trick: 'Split it evenly, including yourself.'