Taking friends on flights under 18

Donny Boy

Donny Boy

Well-Known Member
Hey all,

I just graduated high school, got my private....through the school year i have taken up many friends. I'm planning a trip a few states away, and i got to thinking. As kids often do.... some lie to their parents about where they are going (not in a airplane). My question is...as PIC, if i take them up, and either something ever happened, or their parents simply found out.... am i liable legally for anything?
 
Donny Boy said:
Hey all,

I just graduated high school, got my private....through the school year i have taken up many friends. I'm planning a trip a few states away, and i got to thinking. As kids often do.... some lie to their parents about where they are going (not in a airplane). My question is...as PIC, if i take them up, and either something ever happened, or their parents simply found out.... am i liable legally for anything?
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Welcome to adulthood.

The short answer is -- possibly. This is one great reason to have some sort of legal protection when you fly.
 
Times have changed. When I was 17 I took my then girlfriend (among others) on airplane rides all of the time. I'm not sure whether her Dad would have been more upset knowing that I was taking her for an airplane ride or the other stuff I was trying to do with his daughter!
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Times have changed. When I was 17 I took my then girlfriend (among others) on airplane rides all of the time. I'm not sure whether her Dad would have been more upset knowing that I was taking her for an airplane ride or the other stuff I was trying to do with his daughter!
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Amen to that. Times haven't changed around here, at least!
 
ZapBrannigan said:
Times have changed. When I was 17 I took my then girlfriend (among others) on airplane rides all of the time. I'm not sure whether her Dad would have been more upset knowing that I was taking her for an airplane ride or the other stuff I was trying to do with his daughter!
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With or to?
 
I doubt it. In this case, I don't think it's any different than driving across a state line.
 
Donny Boy said:
Hey all,

I just graduated high school, got my private....through the school year i have taken up many friends. I'm planning a trip a few states away, and i got to thinking. As kids often do.... some lie to their parents about where they are going (not in a airplane). My question is...as PIC, if i take them up, and either something ever happened, or their parents simply found out.... am i liable legally for anything?
Click to expand...

The only time I can think of something that would really be a problem is if you flew into Canada with them. - Granted they're your friends and all, Canada requires a letter from their parents - as they're not present - that they're okay to be with you.
 
If anyone threatens you make sure you talk to an attorney before you make any statements to them or the police... For the most part, I don't think anyone would legally pursue you nor would a jury go along with them... But you never know :/

I'm going to sign up for AOPA legal and I have extra insurance to help show responsibility (you don't know if your passengers have health insurance).

I've been a pilot for a couple years and was 25 when I got my license. The only issue I ran into on this was taking up a 16 year old with a deadbeat dad who likes to be dramatic. Nothing came of it...
 
ColoradoPilot said:
But I think you'd also potentially be laible for some stuff being not a minor, taking a minor across state lines without parental consent.
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Don't confuse liability here.

The Mann Act makes transporting a minor across state lines a federal crime, but only for nefarious purposes, I believe. I'm not a lawyer, but that's what I recall.

What the PIC oughta do is make sure the parents know what they're doing/where they're going so they're covered.

Honesty, in this particular case, being the best policy.
 
Probably best to talk to the parents yourself to be honest. That avoids there being a chance of the parents not knowing
 
killbilly said:
Don't confuse liability here.

The Mann Act makes transporting a minor across state lines a federal crime, but only for nefarious purposes, I believe. I'm not a lawyer, but that's what I recall.

What the PIC oughta do is make sure the parents know what they're doing/where they're going so they're covered.

Honesty, in this particular case, being the best policy.
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Actually, the Mann Act has to do with the transportation of females (regardless of age) across state lines for "immoral purposes".
 
The honesty route is what i have been doing in most cases. Every now and then though, you get that chick who's just so good looking you wanna take her anyways. I think the only thing would be if something ever happened. Thanks for all the replies guys!



My next plan of action is to be "fogged" in somewhere and forced to stay the night. :] I'm going in for guns
 
As far as being "fogged in" is concerned, you're not necessarily in trouble with the law unless you're a certain number (3?) years older than her.

As far as just taking someone younger than 18 flying; it's no problem. Sign them up for the Young Eagles program.
 
Best idea is to let the girls parents in on the deal. It shows your respect for them AND for her. It might be the thing that keeps her father from beating your ass when he finds out. Just an idea from someone who's been on both sides of the issue on this.
 
This thread is
motivato_quagmire_sm.jpg
 
Donny Boy said:
Hey all,

I just graduated high school, got my private....through the school year i have taken up many friends. I'm planning a trip a few states away, and i got to thinking. As kids often do.... some lie to their parents about where they are going (not in a airplane). My question is...as PIC, if i take them up, and either something ever happened, or their parents simply found out.... am i liable legally for anything?
Click to expand...

The PIC is responsible for the safety of the passengers on the airplane. The FAR's place a duty on the PIC to verify the passengers' eligibility for flight, vis-a-vis alcohol consumption, fastened seatbelt, and passenger briefings. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. There are also state and local laws to consider. You're still bound by those. Better check those out.

Where the question becomes more difficult to answer is in the case of civil liability. A lot probably depends on the age of the passenger. Certainly I would think someone of age is responsibile for their own actions. But 15? 14? I don't know.

My answer is, if your passenger is under 18, and you have doubts, contact the parent, if for no other reason than to protect yourself. There ain't a lay in the world that is worth the potential trouble you could run into.
 
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