Originally Posted by
ATC Watcher
It always has been possible, before EASA and now, for a private flight to take anybody you want on board , as long at it is not a commercial operation . Indications seem to indicate this was not a commercial operation but a private one.
If something goes wrong on a private flight , it is always the PIC who is responsible, not the owner of the aircraft or "the usual pilot" .
the decision to fly VFR in IMC, or to file an IFR flight plan when you are not qualified lays only with the PIC and nobody else.
Now if you can prove money change hands and it was a commercial operation , there it is a very different story.
Need to remember that until the WINGLY LAW was introduced sharing the cost of a flight wasn't even allowed - that's what I think they tried to introduce it but the horse bolted.
Also noticed over the last couple of days that new folk joining the conversation might have not picked up on the fact that it's an N REG aircraft so much of the recent discussion ref. EASA, Wingly, sharing, expenses, etc., does not really apply.