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14 CFR § 61.113
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 edition.
Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command
Sec. 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this
section, no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as
pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property
for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire,
act as pilot in command of an aircraft.
(b) A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in
command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if:
(1) The flight is only incidental to that business or employment;
and
(2) The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for
compensation or hire.
(c) A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the
operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the expenses
involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.
(d) A private pilot may act as pilot in command of a charitable,
nonprofit, or community event flight described in Sec. 91.146, if the
sponsor and pilot comply with the requirements of Sec. 91.146.
(e) A private pilot may be reimbursed for aircraft operating
expenses that are directly related to search and location operations,
provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or
rental fees, and the operation is sanctioned and under the direction and
control of:
(1) A local, State, or Federal agency; or
(2) An organization that conducts search and location operations.
(f) A private pilot who is an aircraft salesman and who has at least
200
hours of logged flight time may demonstrate an aircraft in flight to a
prospective buyer.
(g) A private pilot who meets the requirements of Sec. 61.69 may
act as a pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered
ultralight vehicle.
(h) A private pilot may act as pilot in command for the purpose of
conducting a production flight test in a light-sport aircraft intended
for certification in the light-sport category under Sec. 21.190 of this
chapter, provided that--
(1) The aircraft is a powered parachute or a weight-shift-control
aircraft;
(2) The person has at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in
the category and class of aircraft flown; and
(3) The person is familiar with the processes and procedures
applicable to the conduct of production flight testing, to include
operations conducted under a special flight permit and any associated
operating limitations.
(i) A private pilot may act as pilot in command or serve as a
required flightcrew member of an aircraft without holding a medical
certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the pilot
holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets the requirements of Sec.
61.23(c)(3), and complies with this section and all of the following
conditions and limitations:
(1) The aircraft is authorized to carry not more than 7 occupants,
has a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds, is operated
with no more than 6 passengers on board, and is not a transport category
rotorcraft certified to airworthiness standards under part 29 of this
chapter; and
(2) The flight, including each portion of the flight, is not carried
out--
(i) At an altitude that is more than 18,000 feet above mean sea
level;
(ii) Outside the United States unless authorized by the country in
which the flight is conducted; or
(iii) At an indicated airspeed exceeding 250 knots; and
(3) The pilot has available in his or her logbook--
(i) The completed medical examination checklist required under Sec.
68.7 of this chapter; and
(ii) The certificate of course completion required under Sec.
61.23(c)(3).
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69
FR 44869, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-115, 72 FR 6910, Feb. 13, 2007; Amdt.
61-125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-9157, Amdt. 61-140, 82
FR 3165, Jan. 11, 2017; Docket FAA-2021-1040, Amdt. 61-152, 87 FR 71237,
Nov. 22, 2022; Docket FAA-2024-2580, Amdt. 61-158, 89 FR 90577, Nov. 18,
2024]U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Reproduced from the checksummed 2025 annual edition of Title 14; always confirm against the current eCFR.