The FAA has revised its exemption for pilots flying charitable missions for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, Airlift Hope of America, and Mercy Medical Airlift to receive reimbursement for fuel used on those flights. The amendments clarify some of the conditions and limitations of the previous exemption.
The organizations had applied for and received an exemption, with certain conditions and limitations, in February from 14 CFR 61.113(c), which states “that 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.”
“The FAA has found that the humanitarian efforts of these volunteer pilots who volunteer their time and piloting services are commendable, and the FAA wants to encourage this kind of volunteerism and public service for the common good of our citizens,” the agency wrote in its February decision.
Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, Airlift Hope of America, and Mercy Medical Airlift had petitioned the FAA in June 2009 for an exemption from the rule. The exemption applies only to those three organizations.
