91.147 - Scenic Flights & 25 mile radius extension

J

Jdehawk

Well-Known Member
Ok.. Few questions..

I've heard but can't prove that there is a way to get a letter of authorization to be able to conduct scenic flights to specific locations that are outside the 25 mile range listed in 91.147 & 119 ... anyone have any info on this .. am I completely wrong here?

Second thing..

The drug program required by 91.147.. is it expensive? What if I am a sole prop llc commercial pilot/freelance CFI with no other staff?

I'll check on this with my FSDO soon.. just wanted to be a little educated before I head into the FAA.

I did ask one guy at the FSDO about an extension for scenic flights and he said nope.. have to be a 135 operator or something along those lines.


Thanks
 
Part 119 and Part 135 has your answers. Mainly you can find what you need in 135.

Check FAR 135.1(c). It tells you which parts of 135 you have to comply with (basically just the drug test), and yes, you'll need the letter from the FSDO. All this gets you the 25sm radius. I don't know specifically about outside a 25sm radius.

As far as costs, there are commercial companies out there that will put you on a drug testing program. I think setup fee was around $250 plus the initial test fees. The test is about $45/test. The renewal fee was running $75+$10/employee.

These prices were from 2007. So I'm sure they've gone up.

The company I looked at was drugtestingusa.com
 
If there is a mx shop or somebody around there on a drug program, ask about paying to join theirs. That might be cheaper.

As for the distance, is there a closer airport you can operate out of? If you repo out of your base, but take pax out of the other (and it's listed on you LOA) you should be fine. If it is waiverable, it'd be a local FSDO call.
 
Have your client buy a cheep logbook, take them where you want and log it as an orientation flight. Sounds good to me. :clap:
 
If your aircraft only has two seats I would go with the 'instruction' route. There is nothing wrong with giving instruction on a scenic pleasure flight. You may not be giving them instruction towards a rating, but you can definitely teach them something about airplanes during the flight. Build this into your advertising and you will have a huge advantage. The FAA has no problem with this sort of operation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top