otterjumper

Anyone have any ideas on how to make money with a small single engine plane? I met a guy at the local FBO who owns an aerial photograpy company and he hires out guys to fly for him several days each week. I had no idea there was such demand for that service.....if I didn't know that then perhaps there are other ways??

I have a family friend with a 172 who is rapidly approaching the time when he won't fly or do anything else. The plane is immaculate and has been in his care for nearly 20 years.

I have quite the entrepreneurial spirit so these kinds of thoughts run through my my mind all the time.

Feel free to drop an idea.....or call me nuts and tell me to hang up the idea!

Thanks all

Planespotta

I often entertain similar ideas, too.

Sightseeing is popular, I have heard, as well as surveying for developing companies. You can also fly people from smaller airports (e.g., Bedford, North Hampton in my area) to larger airports (e.g., Boston) so that they can avoid the hassle of taking a bus/train/multiple stops/ etc.

. . . just what I've heard from friends.

JoeyMeatballs

Yeah good luck with that, you better hope the FAA doesnt catch wind of that one.................

Spartan07

What would be wrong with that if he was a current Commercial pilot?

Ewfflyer

That would be what some of us professionals' refer to as a 134.5 or a 134.9. Meaning it's a quasi-charter, but not a legally operated charter as defined by the FAR's. If you do that, you need to get a 135 certificate, and follow it. Just my 2 cents.

Diver Driver

Ya, you would then be legally considered a part 135 non scheduled operation/charter and would have to get a 135 cert as well as follow all the pilot and MX regs like: (135 IFR) - 1200TT, 500 XC, etc... Dont do it, the FAA does not have a sence of humor.

timnunes

Here's a list taken from the FAR's of things you are allowed to do with a Commercial Pilot Certificate. Any other type of flight requires an additional checkride/other requirements. If you are going to hire a plain old Commercial Pilot, you are limited to these activities.

(1) Student instruction;

(2) Nonstop sightseeing flights conducted with aircraft having a passenger seat configuration of 30 or fewer, excluding each crewmember seat, and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less, that begin and end at the same airport, and are conducted within a 25 statute mile radius of that airport; however, for nonstop sightseeing flights for compensation or hire conducted in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, the requirements of SFAR 50–2 of this part or 14 CFR part 119, as applicable, apply;

(3) Ferry or training flights;

(4) Aerial work operations, including—

(i) Crop dusting, seeding, spraying, and bird chasing;

(ii) Banner towing;

(iii) Aerial photography or survey;

(iv) Fire fighting;

(v) Helicopter operations in construction or repair work (but it does apply to transportation to and from the site of operations); and

(vi) Powerline or pipeline patrol;

(5) Sightseeing flights conducted in hot air balloons;

(6) Nonstop flights conducted within a 25-statute-mile radius of the airport of takeoff carrying persons or objects for the purpose of conducting intentional parachute operations.

(7) Helicopter flights conducted within a 25 statute mile radius of the airport of takeoff if—

(i) Not more than two passengers are carried in the helicopter in addition to the required flightcrew;

(ii) Each flight is made under day VFR conditions;

(iii) The helicopter used is certificated in the standard category and complies with the 100-hour inspection requirements of part 91 of this chapter;

(iv) The operator notifies the FAA Flight Standards District Office responsible for the geographic area concerned at least 72 hours before each flight and furnishes any essential information that the office requests;

(v) The number of flights does not exceed a total of six in any calendar year;

(vi) Each flight has been approved by the Administrator; and

(vii) Cargo is not carried in or on the helicopter;

(8) Operations conducted under part 133 of this chapter or 375 of this title;

(9) Emergency mail service conducted under 49 U.S.C. 41906; or

(10) Operations conducted under the provisions of §91.321 of this chapter.

the King

Definitely be careful about holding out and becoming a commercial operator. I can guarantee you that if there are any 135 operators around who think you might be taking their business, they'll report you in an instant. If you have questions the check with an aviation attorney or possibly the FSDO. Just make sure you don't need a quick response.

Planespotta

He never said he only had a PPL.

Spartan07

Thanks guys, that definately clears that up I'll be starting my Regs class in about a week and a half so I'm not quite familiar with a lot of the ins and outs that don't pertain to my flight training.

Thanks again!