Private pilot flying a candidate in a federal election

The only way you can get any money for flying (I believe) as a Private is to be reimbursed for expenses if you're traveling alone for business by your business as a personal travel business expense. If you take someone else or carry anything for the business that can be considered cargo, then back to "no".

I always thought it odd that flying a political candidate was lumped in with towing an advertising banner, tossing out parachute jumpers, and crop dusting. Maybe political candidates are a bit more "expendable" than the average 135 passenger LOL.
 
RussR said:
I also want to add that although here on POA we see the same topics again and again and again, THIS one about political candidates is one I don't think I've seen before!
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Hooray for being unique!
 
WDD said:
I always thought it odd that flying a political candidate was lumped in with towing an advertising banner, tossing out parachute jumpers, and crop dusting.
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If you toss out a politician, do you have to give him a parachute? Maybe it would be better to grind one into a fine powder and dust a crop......
 
Kritchlow said:
What politician for federal office would want to hire a PP in a C172..??
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I suppose one that doesn’t care much about whether or not he’s around for his inauguration, and hasn’t given much thought about the appearance of showing up in a 172 at a muni airport that hasn’t been mowed in a month.
 
Kritchlow said:
What politician for federal office would want to hire a PP in a C172..??
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To be fair, they didn't want to "hire" me. They needed a ride in a limited amount of time from Point A to Point B across a very big state to participate in a July 4 parade. I said I had a plane and could get them there in the time allowed. Then, upon further research, it turns out that I cannot fly them from Point A to Point B.

They asked for a "fast" ride. I offered.

MBDiagMan said:
I suppose one that doesn’t care much about whether or not he’s around for his inauguration, and hasn’t given much thought about the appearance of showing up in a 172 at a muni airport that hasn’t been mowed in a month.
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One whose father was a GA pilot and who needed a ride to a municipal airport in the mountains with a >7,000' paved runway (that has hosted AF1) and has regular out-of-state commercial service during the summers.
 
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I'd suggest looking at getting a commercial rating regardless - you'll learn about what you can get paid for and how to land a plane without an engine - both valuable skills!
 
supertrooper2002 said:
I'd suggest looking at getting a commercial rating regardless - you'll learn about what you can get paid for and how to land a plane without an engine - both valuable skills!
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I'd like to finish up IFR before anything else!

Although I'd love to have a commercial rating, I fly on Basic Med so getting paid to "fly" sounds like it'll never be in the cards. During my flight review last fall, my instructor (who is now my CFII) did some commercial work with me; it was definitely interesting and I could see how it would make me a better pilot, but I don't know if it's worth doing dedicated training for it if I can never take the check ride.

Then again, I have considered getting my Class II med (for which I have the SI authorization and an understanding HIMS AME), then working towards my commercial then CFI, then drop back down to basic med. Teaching would be a "side gig" as I already have a career for which I am well paid, but I enjoy teaching and I think I'd enjoy teaching people how to fly, too.
 
Spot on for getting the IFR first.

BTW -
You can get your Commercial while being on Basic Med. You can’t get paid to fly. But with that rating you can then get, teach, and get paid for being a CFI and CFII all while being on Basic Med as well.

No need to ever get a class 2.
 
allPrimes said:
Teaching would be a "side gig" as I already have a career for which I am well paid, but I enjoy teaching and I think I'd enjoy teaching people how to fly, too.
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That's what I did. I became a CFI when I was in my mid-fifties, and did some teaching and flight reviews while working full time. When I retired from my full-time job, I increased my instructing, and still teach part time now, in my late 70s.
 
WDD said:
...

BTW -
You can get your Commercial while being on Basic Med. You can’t get paid to fly. But with that rating you can then get, teach, and get paid for being a CFI and CFII all while being on Basic Med as well.

No need to ever get a class 2.
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Ooh. I didn't know this. I thought you had to have the Class II for the checkride.

Great info, here! Thanks!
 
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allPrimes said:
Ooh. I didn't know this. I thought you had to have the Class II for the checkride.

Great info, here! Thanks!
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Just to show the regulatory guidance…61.23
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate—
(iii) When taking a practical test in an aircraft for a recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate, except when operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i); or
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61.113(i) is the BasicMed requirement…
(i) A private pilot may act as pilot in command or serve as a required flightcrew member of an aircraft without holding a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the pilot holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets the requirements of § 61.23(c)(3), and complies with this section and all of the following conditions and limitations:

(1) The aircraft is authorized to carry not more than 6 occupants, has a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 6,000 pounds, and is operated with no more than five passengers on board; and
(2) The flight, including each portion of the flight, is not carried out—
(i) At an altitude that is more than 18,000 feet above mean sea level;
(ii) Outside the United States unless authorized by the country in which the flight is conducted; or
(iii) At an indicated airspeed exceeding 250 knots; and
(3) The pilot has available in his or her logbook—
(i) The completed medical examination checklist required under § 68.7 of this chapter; and
(ii) The certificate of course completion required under § 61.23(c)(3).
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My question is... can a candidate in a federal election fly a private pilot to a place to vote.??
 
Zeldman said:
My question is... can a candidate in a federal election fly a private pilot to a place to vote.??
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Depends. How many times will that person caste a vote? In Chicago TRACON area the min number is 10.
 
I think the bigger question here is why anyone would want to help a politician…
 
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