Trial Lesson (Non-Microlight) - PPL Instructor
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 303
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From: Walmington on Sea
The CAA specify that a "Trial Lesson" should include some form of basic instruction in flying, and may not be just a jolly. Obviously open to interpretation. However I always treat it as an air experience flight (AirEx 3), brief accordingly and allow the student to fly the aircraft as much as they want.
Flying instruction is aerial work, and provided all the obvious legal caveats are covered, it is perfectly legal for persons to be carried in the back of a 4-seater during an instructional flight. I personally only do this on a trial flight, as the person in the back most likely has a financial interest if the student decides to complete a PPL.
XO
Flying instruction is aerial work, and provided all the obvious legal caveats are covered, it is perfectly legal for persons to be carried in the back of a 4-seater during an instructional flight. I personally only do this on a trial flight, as the person in the back most likely has a financial interest if the student decides to complete a PPL.
XO
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,626
Likes: 12
From: UK
It would be helpful if someone with an official perspective could answer with authority. The answer at the Instructor Seminar was unequivocal - it's Public Transport.
I have been offered a flight as a passenger during a trial lesson. Is this legal?
There is nothing in law to prevent the carriage of non-paying passengers on an instructional flight, apart, of course, from solo flights by a student pilot. If the only payment made is for carriage of the trainee pilot under instruction, the flight is classed as aerial work, and no AOC is needed. However, if any passenger has paid to be carried, the flight is classed as public transport, and is illegal unless the operator holds an AOC.
There is nothing in law to prevent the carriage of non-paying passengers on an instructional flight, apart, of course, from solo flights by a student pilot. If the only payment made is for carriage of the trainee pilot under instruction, the flight is classed as aerial work, and no AOC is needed. However, if any passenger has paid to be carried, the flight is classed as public transport, and is illegal unless the operator holds an AOC.
Last edited by Whopity; 17th November 2007 at 07:31.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 103
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From: UK
I would have thought 'Public Transport' should involve going from A to B. As most Trial Lessons go from A to erm... A, it seems a bit much to call it Transport. How many people use Transport For London to take the Circle Line from Embankment to Embankment (unless they just fall asleep) ?
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 789
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From: UK
I would have thought 'Public Transport' should involve going from A to B.
'Public transport' doesn't mean 'passenger to somewhere else transport'
