Getting paid to fly politicians around.

[Julian]

Well you learn something new every day!!!

In the good 'ol US of A, under the FARs, you can fly your local political candidate around and get paid for it - even on a PPL!

Can you imagine Tony ringing you up and asking if you could possible fly him round in you C152 for a couple of weeks - although I dont fancy your chances of getting airborne if you get Prescott :E

J.

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§ 91.321 Carriage of candidates in elections.
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(a) As an aircraft operator, you may receive payment for carrying a candidate, agent of a candidate, or person traveling on behalf of a candidate, running for Federal, State, or local election, without having to comply with the rules in parts 121, 125 or 135 of this chapter, under the following conditions:

(1) Your primary business is not as an air carrier or commercial operator;

(2) You carry the candidate, agent, or person traveling on behalf of a candidate, under the rules of part 91; and

(3) By Federal, state or local law, you are required to receive payment for carrying the candidate, agent, or person traveling on behalf of a candidate. For federal elections, the payment may not exceed the amount required by the Federal Election Commission. For a state or local election, the payment may not exceed the amount required under the applicable state or local law.

(b) For the purposes of this section, for Federal elections, the terms candidate and election have the same meaning as set forth in the regulations of the Federal Election Commission. For State or local elections, the terms candidate and election have the same meaning as provided by the applicable State or local law and those terms relate to candidates for election to public office in State and local government elections.

[Doc. No. FAA–2005–20168, 70 FR 4982, Jan. 31, 2005]

[slim_slag]

It doesn't say you can do it on a PPL, just you can do it under part 91. But its definitely one law for them, one law for us. There are plenty more when that came from. I suspect they would rarely use this reg, but it's in there just in case. Do you also see how they limit how much the operator can charge them? What a joke.

[Julian]

SS,

Extract from AOPA below, my emphasis on private pilot.

J.

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The November 7 elections are right around the corner—are you looking for a way to help your favorite candidates? Before you entertain the idea of flying them to their next campaign stop, take a close look at FAR 91.321, which allows you to accept payment from candidates in federal, state, or local elections, even if you are a private pilot. Federal Elections Law 11 CFR 100.93 details how much candidates must pay. Many states have similar rules. Flying candidates running for office can be complex, especially if you fly them to multiple states or for multiple purposes. If you are considering flying a candidate on the campaign trail, call the experts in AOPA's Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA). They can sort through the regulations and discuss the associated insurance and tax issues with you.

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P.S. No havent seen any figures - have you got them would be intersting to see. Just refers you to the F.E.L. doc which does not appear to detail any.

J.

[slim_slag]

Julian,

I'd refer the person from AOPA who wrote that to 61.113 (Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command) and ask which bit applies. A CPL can do it, probably no different from banner towing.

I'd have to look up the costs, could be interesting.

Looked it up and it's based upon an unrestricted first class airline ticket if available, then an unrestricted economy class ticket, then normal charter rates. So I guess that is OK, it might stop politicians using part 91 operators who are buddies and paying them over normal rates using other peoples money, which I wouldn't put past them.

[Julian]

After reading Slim Slag response I agreed with him as nothing specifically exempts private pilots to allow them to take payment so emailed AOPA. They have just responded ( I hadnt forgotten you mate :) ).

It doesnt really read as much of a response and basically says call someone else!!!

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Dear Julian,

Thank you for your email. This is a new change to the FARs. It has not been tested yet in an enforcement or appeal case to our knowledge. The intent of the will of congress is still yet to be determined, but we believe they intended to allow private pilots to do this so as to not violate the applicable local, state, or federal laws regarding campaigns. If you are considering doing this we recommend that you contact the administrators of all appropriate rules and regulations.

Please let me know if I can help you with anything else. Thank you again.


Very Respectfully,

Claire Kultgen
Technical Specialist
AOPA Pilot Information Center
1-800-USA-AOPA

[Alvin Steele]

Oooooh, I wish we had that over here in the UK.

"No, Mr Prescott, its not necessary for you to strap yourself in........right, I am now going to demonstrate inverted flight......":E

[Mike Cross]

I think some of you may have the wrong end of the legal argument.

As I read it, politicians are required to declare their election expenses and are not allowed to circumvent this by having free means of travel put at their disposal by others (NB Lib Dems!).

The election law appears therefore to state that the candidate MUST pay for the travel. The exemption in the FAR appears to allow a PPL to receive the money, so long as it does not exceed the minimum amount that the candidate is REQUIRED to pay under election law.

That said I understand our own PPL holding MP, Lembit Opik was unable to deliver a politician to a venue on account of Wx not so long ago.

Mike

[tangovictor]

I would have thought, that even to consider becoming a US senator, you'd have to be a millonaire, and the chances of one of those wanting to fly in a ppl type airplane rather than a twin engined exec jet, would be less than 0.00000001, so I doubt it would ever apply