Private pilot privileges and limitations14 CFR 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command
A private pilot may not act as pilot in command for compensation or hire, or of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, except in the specific cases the rule lists. When sharing costs with passengers, the pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share, and only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees may be shared.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- No acting as pilot in command for compensation or hire, or of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, except as (b) through (h) allow (a).
- Flights only incidental to a business or employment are allowed, if the aircraft carries no passengers or property for compensation or hire (b).
- With passengers, the pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of operating expenses, and those expenses may involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees (c).
- Other cases: charitable, nonprofit or community event flights under 91.146 (d), reimbursed search and location flights (e), aircraft salesmen with at least 200 hours demonstrating to buyers (f), and glider or ultralight towing under 61.69 (g).
- Without a part 67 medical: aircraft authorized for not more than 7 occupants, maximum takeoff weight not more than 12,500 pounds, no more than 6 passengers, not above 18,000 feet MSL and not over 250 knots indicated (i).
In plain English
Section 61.113 defines where private pilot privileges stop. Paragraph (a) is the baseline: a private pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, and may not act as pilot in command for compensation or hire. Paragraphs (b) through (h) then list the exceptions.
Paragraph (b) allows a private pilot to act as pilot in command, for compensation or hire, in connection with a business or employment only if the flight is only incidental to that business or employment and the aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire. Paragraph (c) covers sharing costs with passengers: the pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses, and those expenses may involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees. The remaining paragraphs cover charitable, nonprofit or community event flights under 91.146 (d), reimbursement for search and location operations under the direction of a government agency or a search and location organization (e), an aircraft salesman with at least 200 hours of logged flight time demonstrating an aircraft to a prospective buyer (f), towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle under 61.69 (g), and certain light-sport production flight tests (h).
Paragraph (i) is the basis for flying without a part 67 medical certificate, commonly called BasicMed. The pilot must hold a valid U.S. driver's license and meet 61.23(c)(3). The aircraft must be authorized to carry not more than 7 occupants, have a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds, be operated with no more than 6 passengers, and not be a transport category rotorcraft certified under part 29. No portion of the flight may be above 18,000 feet MSL, outside the United States unless the country where it is conducted authorizes it, or at an indicated airspeed over 250 knots, and the pilot's logbook must contain the completed medical examination checklist required by 68.7 and the course completion certificate required by 61.23(c)(3).
Common mistakes
- Splitting costs so the pilot pays less than a pro rata share. The pilot may not pay less than that share (c).
- Including other costs in the split. The expenses may involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees (c).
- Reading (b) as permission to carry paying passengers on a business trip. The flight must be only incidental to the business, and the aircraft may not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire (b)(1), (b)(2).
- Assuming BasicMed works in any aircraft. (i)(1) limits occupants, passengers and maximum takeoff weight, and (i)(2) limits altitude, airspeed and flights outside the United States.
The official text
14 CFR 61.113 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(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 § 91.146, if the sponsor and pilot comply with the requirements of § 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 § 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 an aircraft intended for certification in the light-sport category under § 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 § 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 § 68.7 of this chapter; and
(ii) The certificate of course completion required under § 61.23(c)(3).
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 61.113.
Private Pilot
A private pilot may share the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the pilot pays at least
- A. the pro rata share of the fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees.
- B. half of the total operating expenses.
- C. nothing, as long as no profit is made.
- D. the full cost of fuel and oil only.
Show answer
A. the pro rata share of the fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees. The pilot must pay no less than a pro rata share: with one passenger that is half, with three passengers a quarter. Only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees may be shared, and the flight must have a common purpose.
More Private Pilot practice →Private Helicopter
A private pilot flying two friends to a fly-in may legally:
- A. pay not less than an equal (pro rata) share of the operating expenses: fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees.
- B. let the passengers pay all operating expenses for the flight.
- C. accept payment for the flight if no profit is made.
- D. charge for the flight if the passengers suggested the destination.
Show answer
A. pay not less than an equal (pro rata) share of the operating expenses: fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees. Private pilots may share expenses, but only pro rata and only for fuel, oil, airport expenditures and rental fees, with three aboard, the pilot pays at least a third. Letting passengers cover everything crosses into compensation.
More Private Helicopter practice →
Questions pilots ask
Can a private pilot share flight costs with passengers?
Yes, within limits. The pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of the flight, and the shared expenses may involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees (61.113(c)).
Can a private pilot get paid to fly?
Generally not. A private pilot may not act as pilot in command for compensation or hire (61.113(a)). One exception is a flight in connection with a business or employment that is only incidental to it, with no passengers or property carried for compensation or hire (61.113(b)). Paragraphs (c) through (h) list the other exceptions.
What are the aircraft and flight limits under BasicMed?
The aircraft must be authorized to carry not more than 7 occupants, have a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds, carry no more than 6 passengers, and may not be a transport category rotorcraft (61.113(i)(1)). The flight may not be above 18,000 feet MSL, outside the United States unless authorized by that country, or above 250 knots indicated airspeed (61.113(i)(2)).
Can a private pilot fly for a charity event?
Yes, a private pilot may act as pilot in command of a charitable, nonprofit or community event flight described in 91.146, if the sponsor and pilot comply with the requirements of 91.146 (61.113(d)).