Q & A: 
Question of the Week
EAA Government Affairs
A question came up at a meeting that had to do with flying for charitable events. Can I fly Young Eagles in a Sport Pilot legal kitplane as a sport pilot? Secondly, can I fly a sport pilot kitplane on a charitable medical mission flight?

Answer:
To answer your first question, FAR 61.315 says that a sport pilot may not act as pilot in command during a charitable sightseeing flight/event. However, because the kids and their parents are not charged or asked for a donation in exchange for a Young Eagles flight, the EAA Young Eagles flights are not considered to be a charitable sightseeing flight per 61.315(c)(10) (sport pilot limits); 61.101(e)(13) (recreational pilot limits); and 61.113(c) (private pilot limits). There are also no restrictions on the type of aircraft flown - type certificated, experimental amateur-built or exhibition or special/experimental light-sport aircraft.

Once the event accepts money in exchange for flights, then you cross over into the FAA's commercial flight operation rules. Key rules under this aspect are the mandatory requirement to be part of an FAA drug testing program (or contact EAA for an exemption; 888-322-4636, ext. 6867), can only fly type-certificated aircraft, you must hold a current/valid private pilots license (as a minimum) - can't do it as a sport pilot, and it would no longer be considered a EAA Young Eagles flight.

As for your second question, we can't answer that as each charitable organization establishes its own rules. For example; Angel Flight just recently started accepting experimental amateur-built aircraft for non-passenger carrying mission, and may consider using light sport aircraft sometime in the future. Each charitable organization has their own standards based on internal safety insurance issues. However, if you accept compensation for flying those missions, then according to 61.315(c)(1) above you would be prohibited from doing it.

How can we help you?
To ask a question regarding government issues, e-mail govt@eaa.org. If you have a question about registration, airmen, aircraft and medical certification, safety records, performance, or any other matter, e-mail infoserv@eaa.org.
  

October 2006
EAA Desktop Calendar

After a long day on EAA AirVenture convention grounds, what could be better than getting into your powered parachute and riding west into the setting sun? This month's EAA desktop calendar features such a scene as captured by EAA volunteer photographer Chris Miller, providing a reminder of what was...and what is to come as summer fades into fall and winter.

To download the image for your computer, visit the EAA website and choose among five resolutions to suit your screen. You can also download any other previous EAA monthly desktop image.

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RIHN-HARVEY IS U.S. NATIONALS UNLIMITED CHAMPION
Debby Rihn-Harvey of La Porte, Texas, is an eight-time winner of the Betty Skelton trophy awarded to the highest-placing woman in the powered Unlimited category at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships. Now, she can add the Mike Murphy Cup to her trophy case after winning the overall powered Unlimited category at the 2006 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships held in Denison, Texas, September 27-29.
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In addition, the FAA has qualified the Eclipse 500 to noise levels well below Stage 4 limits. The FAA also issued the company Part 145 Repair Station Certification October 2, and approved their repair station training manual.

Eclipse broke ground on its Northeast service center at Albany International Airport in Albany, New York, October 4. The facility is slated to be fully functional by mid-2007, as one of seven centers in the continental U.S. that will be dedicated to the maintenance and support of the Eclipse 500. For more information visit www.eclipseaviation.com.