📘14 CFR §61.113 — Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations

✏️ Plain-English Summary:

As a private pilot, you can’t get paid to fly, but you can do quite a few things legally — like share costs with passengers, help with search and rescue, fly for charity, or demonstrate an aircraft (if you’re a qualified salesperson). The key limitation is that you must not receive compensation unless it’s specifically allowed by the rule.

✅ Key Takeaways for PPL:

• ❌ Cannot be paid to act as PIC

• ✅ Can share flight costs pro rata (fuel, oil, rental — split evenly)

• ✅ Can fly for a charitable organization (if compliant with 91.146)

• ✅ Can tow gliders or unpowered ultralights (with training and endorsement)

• ✅ Can demonstrate aircraft for sale (if you're a salesperson with >200 hours)

• ✅ Can participate in search and rescue ops (but not for pay)

• ✅ Can fly your friends — as long as you don’t receive compensation (even indirectly)

✈️ Scenario:

You're flying three friends to a football game. Each of you pays 25% of the total cost for fuel, oil, and aircraft rental — all good. But if they buy your game ticket, hotel room, or dinner as a “thank you”? ❌ That counts as compensation and violates §61.113.

🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:

When a student asks:

“Can I fly my buddy to Florida and he pays for everything?” Walk them through the pro rata share rule and remind them: 💡 Compensation isn’t just cash — it includes anything of value (meals, tickets, hotel stays, favors).

Encourage students to always think:

“Am I receiving something in return because I flew?” If yes → ⚠️ Might be illegal under Part 61.

📚 References:

• FAR: 14 CFR §61.113

• AC 61-142: Sharing Aircraft Operating Expenses in Accordance with 14 CFR 61.113(c)

• AIM 4-3-10: Expense sharing scenarios

📺 Extra Help:

• 🎥 Pilot Institute: Can Private Pilots Be Paid? (5 min overview)

• 📰 Boldmethod: Can You Legally Split Flight Costs?