Do not fly passengers places for money.
Do not fly cargo places for money.
Do not advertise for any flights.
Never pay less than your pro-rated share for flight expenses.
Only take cash, do not post about it on the internet or talk about it in general, instruct any other involved parties to do the same.
Nobody actually cares if your buddy throws you a little gas money now and then for taking him on a $100 hamburger run, ferrying his airplane somewhere for him, etc. The whole purpose of the FAA regulations on the subject is to prevent pilots without a commercial licence to conduct operations for profit.
That said because of the many permutations people have found over the years to get around the spirit of the rules, they have ruled in such a strict manner that almost everything you do compensation wise could be considered illegal.
If you're not making this a for-profit or regular thing the FAA won't go looking for you unless someone makes them take official notice. Someone like a giant weenie on an internet forum or a ***** commercial operator for example might report something.
So, just go fly with your buddy, pick up his airplane, enjoy dinner and a beer on him, and shut up about it.
I am not an aviation lawyer and do not play one on tv either. I take no responsibility for my advice or anything anyone else does.
Do not fly cargo places for money.
Do not advertise for any flights.
Never pay less than your pro-rated share for flight expenses.
Only take cash, do not post about it on the internet or talk about it in general, instruct any other involved parties to do the same.
Nobody actually cares if your buddy throws you a little gas money now and then for taking him on a $100 hamburger run, ferrying his airplane somewhere for him, etc. The whole purpose of the FAA regulations on the subject is to prevent pilots without a commercial licence to conduct operations for profit.
That said because of the many permutations people have found over the years to get around the spirit of the rules, they have ruled in such a strict manner that almost everything you do compensation wise could be considered illegal.
If you're not making this a for-profit or regular thing the FAA won't go looking for you unless someone makes them take official notice. Someone like a giant weenie on an internet forum or a ***** commercial operator for example might report something.
So, just go fly with your buddy, pick up his airplane, enjoy dinner and a beer on him, and shut up about it.
I am not an aviation lawyer and do not play one on tv either. I take no responsibility for my advice or anything anyone else does.