Cost-sharing and paid flying on a PPL
PPL holder cannot be PIC for hire or reward unless one of four exceptions in CAR 401.28 applies (401.28(1)).
| Exception | Ref | Pilot | Flight | Payer | Payment terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-sharing | 401.28(2) | Owns or operates the aircraft | Purpose other than hire or reward; passengers carried only incidentally to it | Passengers only | Shareable: fuel, oil, fees charged against the aircraft for the flight |
| Employer reimbursement | 401.28(3) | Works full-time for employer in a non-flying role | On employer's business, incidental to normal duties | Employer | Rate based on distance or hours flown; cap per flight: table below |
| Charitable/volunteer reimbursement | 401.28(4) | Flies for the payer as a volunteer | - | Charitable, not-for-profit, or public security organization | Cap per flight: table below |
Reimbursement caps (401.28(3), (4)):
| Aircraft | Cap for the flight |
|---|---|
| Owned | Direct operating costs + fees charged against the aircraft |
| Rental | Rental costs + direct operating costs + fees charged against the aircraft |
Farmer aerial work (401.28(5)):
- Farmer as defined in CAR 700.01 may be paid hire or reward, no reimbursement cap.
- Purpose: disperse agricultural products by air, without an air operator certificate.
- Holder must meet all:
- owns the aircraft used to disperse the products
- at least 150 hours PIC flight time, including at least 25 hours on the type used
- no more crew than the minimum needed for the dispersal
- dispersal within 25 miles of the centre of the holder's farm
- never disperses inside a control zone without ATC unit authority
Trap: cost-sharing (401.28(2)) covers fuel, oil, fees only; employer/charitable (401.28(3)/(4)) allow full direct operating costs or rental costs.
References
- CAR 401.28(1)
- CAR 401.28(2)
- CAR 401.28(3)
- CAR 401.28(4)
- CAR 401.28(5)