Can a PPL holder take "trial flights/experiences" for free?

[Caparu]

Question, and apologies in advance for my ignorance on this, but I can't find an answer either here or elsewhere on the net. Can a PPL holder, in theory, be pilot in command for trail flights/flight experiences if he or she is doing it for free (i.e. no renumeration)?

Thanks in advance!

[BittenEdges]

Hi Caparu,

Please find below text from the UK CAA regarding such flights known as "Introductory flights". As far as I can tell, a PPL can conduct these as long as no instruction/demonstration of aircraft systems takes place and that the passenger can not log the time as training hours. The pilot must not receive any pay for these type of flights. The flight must take off and return to the same airfield. These flights must be of marginal activity.

What one must be careful of is the definition of Marginal Activity.

"The term marginal activity should be understood as representing a very minor part of the overall activity of an organisation, mainly for the purpose of promoting itself or attracting new students or members. An organisation intending to offer such flights as regular business activity is not considered to meet the condition of marginal activity. Also, flights organised with the sole intent to generate income for the organisation are not considered to be a marginal activity."

So, as far as I can see it, trial lessons whereby experiences are sold to the public solely for a profitable means and are regular feature are not a marginal activity and must be conducted by an instructor.

https://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=224&pagetype=90&pageid=16888
Introductory flights

Introductory flights are a new EASA provision designed to allow people to be taken on air experience tours in light aircraft. Provided the following conditions are met, it is not necessary for the pilot to be an instructor or for the flight to be operated under commercial air transport rules. The flight must be performed either via an EASA approved training organisation (ATO) with its principle place of business in the UK, or through an organisation created to promote aerial sport or leisure aviation, on the condition that:


The aircraft is either owned or dry leased by the organisation;
Any profit made from the flights are kept within the organisation; and
If non-members of the organisation are involved, for example members of the public, the flights represent only a marginal activity of the organisation.

EASA and non-EASA aircraft may be used; however they must have a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, or be a type approved permit to fly aircraft which is already allowed to be used for remunerated training and self fly hire within the terms of the relevant exemptions.
We would expect these flights to last around 30 to 90 minutes, although for gliders this may vary depending on the weather. In the case of aeroplanes and helicopters, they must return to the place of departure.
They are not designed, and should not be sold, to replace the traditional trial lesson in which a qualified instructor would typically give a demonstration of the controls and some flight training exercises with the participant handling the aircraft. Flight time as a passenger on an introductory flight will not count as training towards the grant of a pilot’s licence.
While holders of private licences may conduct introductory flights, they may not personally receive any payment for doing so.



So, if I understand the rules correctly, you can't sit at a Flying Club all day and take trial lessons customers and not be paid for it. These would have to be a special, rare kind of flight as defined above and not the usual trial lesson format. I'm no legal eagle so really best to talk to the CAA directly :ok:

[B2N2]

What you're asking is if you can log free flight time bumbling about the sky with the complete innocent and ignorant public....:E
Without reference to a particular rule/law I'd still have to say no.
In FAA-land free flight time is considered as renumeration btw.....

[50North]

Ask the insurance company, but I would think that the answer is no.
I can not see an ATO, letting a PPL holder use one of their aircraft to conduct a trial/Introductory flight for legal reasons.

[EchoSierra]

IN 2015/029, do a Google search on that.

The problem is not the legality of it, but finding a school that will let you as a PPL fly their trial lessons/experience flights around.

For instance, what sets you apart from the 20 other qualified PPL holders in the club that would also like free flying?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Probably no problem so long as you hold PPL/FI, and not just PPL.