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Revitalizing GA From Page 15another location the FAA approves fordanger, and predictably, over-reacted. the operation;Essentially, pilots would have to meet (3) The airplane or helicopter has athe same standards as charter flights or maximum of 30 seats, excluding eachcrewmember seat, and a maximumcommercial air tour companies, likepayload capacity of 7,500 pounds;those that fly over the Grand Canyon.(4) The flight is not an aerobatic or aThat meant listed and vetted pilots, formation flight;charter-like rules on aircraft, and drug (5) Each airplane or helicoptertesting for pilots, just to donate their holds a standard airworthinessaircraft and time to fly around the certificate, is airworthy, and is operatedairport on a nice day. Predictably, air in compliance with the applicablerides — the very way most people requirements of subpart E of this part;were introduced to aviation — became (6) Each flight is made during dayVFR conditions;virtually extinct.(7) Reimbursement of the operatorThere is a happy ending to the story,of the airplane or helicopter is limited tothough. After several years, the FAA that portion of the passenger paymentfinally recognized the damage done, for the flight that does not exceed theand actually changed the law. Here is pro rata cost of owning, operating, andFAR 91.146:maintaining the aircraft for that flight,§ 91.146 Passenger-carrying flights which may include fuel, oil, airportfor the benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, expenditures, and rental fees;or community event.(8) The beneficiary of the funds(a) Definitions. For purposes of this raised is not in the business ofsection, the following definitions apply: transportation by air;Charitable event means an event (9) A private pilot acting as pilot inthat raises funds for the benefit of a command has at least 500 hours ofcharitable organization recognized by flight time;the Department of the Treasury whose (10) Each flight is conducted indonors may deduct contributions under accordance with the safety provisionssection 170 of the Internal Revenue of part 136, subpart A of this chapter;Code (26 U.S.C. Section 170).and has secured a letter of agreementCommunity event means an event from the FAA, as specified underthat raises funds for the benefit of any subpart B of part 136 of this chapter,local or community cause that is not a and is operating in accordance with thatcharitable event or non-profit event. agreement during the flights.Non-profit event means an event (c) (1) Passenger-carrying flightsthat raises funds for the benefit of a or series of flights are limited to a totalnon-profit organization recognized of four charitable events or non-profitunder State or Federal law, as long as events per year, with no event lastingone of the organization's purposes is more than three consecutive days.the promotion of aviation safety.(2) Passenger-carrying flights(b) Passenger carrying flights for or series of flights are limited to onethe benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, community event per year, withor community event identified inno event lasting more than threeparagraph (c) of this section are not consecutive days.subject to the certification requirements (d) Pilots and sponsors of eventsof part 119 or the drug and alcohol described in this section are limited totesting requirements in part 121,no more than 4 events per calendarappendices I and J, of this chapter,year.provided the following conditions(e) At least seven days beforeare satisfied and the limitationsthe event, each sponsor of an eventin paragraphs (c) and (d) are notdescribed in this section must furnish toexceeded:the FAA Flight Standards District Office(1) The flight is nonstop and beginswith jurisdiction over the geographicaland ends at the same airport and isarea where the event is scheduled:conducted within a 25-statute mile(1) A signed letter detailing theradius of that airport;name of the sponsor, the purpose of the(2) The flight is conducted from aevent, the date and time of the event,public airport that is adequate for thethe location of the event, all prior eventsairplane or helicopter used, or from56 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINEunder this section participated in by thesponsor in the current calendar year;(2) A photocopy of each pilot incommand's pilot certificate, medicalcertificate, and logbook entries thatshow the pilot is current in accordancewith §§61.56 and 61.57 of this chapterand that any private pilot has at least500 hours of flight time; and(3) A signed statement from eachpilot that lists all prior events underthis section in which the pilot hasparticipated during the current calendaryear.That’s “do-able.” Make sure youhave a non-profit, charitable, or“community event” as the basis for yourair rides. Private pilots can use theircertificated aircraft (no experimental orLSA aircraft) for rides (and no airliners,either). No aerobatics, formationflights, or off-airport operations. Norookies — each pilot must have 500hours. Each pilot must meet recentflight requirements, have a flight review,and a medical certificate. Note thenotification requirements for the FAAlisted in the FARs above (also note thatit is notification, not permission). Here’sa big one: Drug testing is no longerrequired!Now that “the regulators” haveremoved the most onerous parts of thelaw, we should get back to using thisproven method of raising communityawareness for the airport. This is reallyeasy to do—and you can do it up tofour (4) times each year.I suggest you choose your fundraising“partners” carefully. Pick apartner that has a good reputationwithin the community — one that willhelp turn out a crowd for the event(and remember, the event can last aslong as 3 days).Have the fund-raising partner presellrides. People may not buy a ticketat the airport, but it is pretty hard forthem to turn down a Shriner doing abenefit for crippled children. Considermaking the pre-sold tickets a differentcolor, enabling them to “jump the line”and “take the first available aircraft.”Don’t forget to involve the newsmedia (after all, you ARE doing a gooddeed for a local charity!). We even invite