Originally Posted by
compressor stall
from the Age this morning. ...“If the pilot and aircraft owner provide their services free of charge and are not reimbursed for any of the operating costs of the flight, then the flight would be deemed to be a private flight and not require an air operator’s certificate,” the authority said.
I'll have to dig up all the written material that CASA has produced on the subject, particularly on the subject of "reward".
For example, when it's expedient for CASA in the circumstances, CASA is wont to say this, with bolding added by me:
It can be difficult however to identify if an operation is conducted for reward, though that is a broad concept. The receipt of a reward could involve, but is not limited to, any of the following:
• where the operator receives anything of value
• goodwill in the form of current or future economic benefit.
A reward need not require a profit or profit motive or the actual payment of monies
Don't the kudos and increased public profile arising from a publicised charity flight constitute
something of value to a politician conducting that flight?
Let's not forget: The flight was advertised to the world and everyone had an opportunity to get the seats, a fact demonstrated by the delicious irony of the political persuasion of the winner.
My experience and observations are that CASA's interpretation of these 'broad concepts' is influenced by factors that have nothing to do with safety.