How does the whole charity thing work with compensation from a Private Pilots License?
Julian B asked:
I know that I can split the cost of aircraft rental, fuel costs, etc with other people i am flying. But how does flying for charity work. I don’t think I can make money by flying for charity. Is it possible for the organization to pay for all of the plane rental and fuel costs?
I know that I can split the cost of aircraft rental, fuel costs, etc with other people i am flying. But how does flying for charity work. I don’t think I can make money by flying for charity. Is it possible for the organization to pay for all of the plane rental and fuel costs?
Also I will be getting my private pilots license soon, and do any of you know any charitable organizations that I can fly for to gain hours without spending all of my money. Specifically around southwestern Connecticut and new york city. Thanks
Tags: Charitable Organizations, New York City, Private Pilots
January 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
AOPA has a newsletter on the subject.
The charity opens themselves to a huge liability should an accident occur. You are a low time pilot with little experience. I can’t imagine a charity doing that. You need 500 hrs PIC time before FAA will allow you to do charity flights.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Pay special attention to b(7),(9), and c(1)
§ 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.
d) A private pilot may act as pilot in command of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event flight described in §91.146, if the sponsor and pilot comply with the requirements of §91.146.
§ 91.146 Passenger-carrying flights for the benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
Charitable event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of a charitable organization recognized by the Department of the Treasury whose donors may deduct contributions under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Section 170).
Community event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of any local or community cause that is not a charitable event or non-profit event.
Non-profit event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of a non-profit organization recognized under State or Federal law, as long as one of the organization’s purposes is the promotion of aviation safety.
(b) Passenger carrying flights for the benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event identified in paragraph (c) of this section are not subject to the certification requirements of part 119 or the drug and alcohol testing requirements in part 121, appendices I and J, of this chapter, provided the following conditions are satisfied and the limitations in paragraphs (c) and (d) are not exceeded:
(1) The flight is nonstop and begins and ends at the same airport and is conducted within a 25-statute mile radius of that airport;
(2) The flight is conducted from a public airport that is adequate for the airplane or helicopter used, or from another location the FAA approves for the operation;
(3) The airplane or helicopter has a maximum of 30 seats, excluding each crewmember seat, and a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds;
(4) The flight is not an aerobatic or a formation flight;
(5) Each airplane or helicopter holds a standard airworthiness certificate, is airworthy, and is operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of subpart E of this part;
(6) Each flight is made during day VFR conditions;
(7) Reimbursement of the operator of the airplane or helicopter is limited to that portion of the passenger payment for the flight that does not exceed the pro rata cost of owning, operating, and maintaining the aircraft for that flight, which may include fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees;
(8) The beneficiary of the funds raised is not in the business of transportation by air;
(9) A private pilot acting as pilot in command has at least 500 hours of flight time;
(10) Each flight is conducted in accordance with the safety provisions of part 136, subpart A of this chapter; and
(11) Flights are not conducted over a national park, unit of a national park, or abutting tribal lands, unless the operator has secured a letter of agreement from the FAA, as specified under subpart B of part 136 of this chapter, and is operating in accordance with that agreement during the flights.
(c) (1) Passenger-carrying flights or series of flights are limited to a total of four charitable events or non-profit events per year, with no event lasting more than three consecutive days.
(2) Passenger-carrying flights or series of flights are limited to one community event per year, with no event lasting more than three consecutive days.
(d) Pilots and sponsors of events described in this section are limited to no more than 4 events per calendar year.
(e) At least seven days before the event, each sponsor of an event described in this section must furnish to the FAA Flight Standards District Office with jurisdiction over the geographical area where the event is scheduled:
(1) A signed letter detailing the name of the sponsor, the purpose of the event, the date and time of the event, the location of the event, all prior events under this section participated in by the sponsor in the current calendar year;
(2) A photocopy of each pilot in command’s pilot certificate, medical certificate, and logbook entries that show the pilot is current in accordance with §§61.56 and 61.57 of this chapter and that any private pilot has at least 500 hours of flight time; and
(3) A signed statement from each pilot that lists all prior events under this section in which the pilot has participated during the current calendar year.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Flying for charity??? The only way that I could think this would be possible is in circumstances such as Rescue Helicopter Services, Flying Doctor Services and well… not much else lol…
Basically, assuming say its a Rescue Helicopter organisation that you’re running, you would need to secure a large sponsor to cover your costs.
A suitable sponsor for somthing like this might be a large well known insurance company, a bank or similar business with large cash flow and profits.
A fairly high profit company such as mentioned above would be you’re best bet, because not only is it good advertising for their company when their corperate logo is being displayed on your aircraft, but the money that they are donating to you for the maintence, fuel and support of the helicopter service is also totally tax deductable.
This means that it comes off their companies final profit margin and therefore reduces the amount of tax that they will be paying at the end of the financial year.
This is win-win for the sponsoring company, because it buys them advertising and a good name for supporting the service you’re providing to the community. It also reduces their tax
Of course, the same thing goes for you… having them donate thier support to your organisation keeps you flying and keeps a vital community service operational.
For this to be effective, you would have to register and structure your organisation as a not-for-profit community benefiting business. You have to be very accurate and careful with book keeping to ensure the organisation maintains the guidelines to stay “not for profit” – because its this goverment recognised and approved status that will ensure that your sponsors “donations” are correctly written off with the tax department.