Philanthropic Flying
Giving Back with General Aviation
By Nicole Hartman, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine
I firmly believe that an important component of achieving a fulfilling life is being of service to others. Nothing gets me out of my own head and gives my challenges some perspective like giving back. This is not a prescriptive element of living — there are countless “means of compliance” when it comes to donating your time and skills, and general aviation pilots are in a unique position to work on staying current and proficient while giving back to the community. Not to mention that volunteering for a worthwhile cause is a pretty sweet excuse to get up in the air. But a good deed is no good if it isn’t done safely and legally. So, let’s take a look at some of the volunteer opportunities available in general aviation and the requirements to fly these meaningful missions.
Varieties of Volunteering
When translating your passion for flying into compassion for a cause, it’s important to align your skills as a pilot and your aircraft’s capabilities with whatever volunteer work speaks to you. For example, if you’re interested in doing medical transports, your plane must meet specific requirements to ensure patient safety and comfort. This might include having adequate seating for both the patient and an accompanying passenger (typically a caregiver such as a family member, doctor, or nurse). Disaster relief flying can be challenging, with high traffic and potentially difficult conditions (such as lack of food, water, and electricity at the destination) that pilots need to be prepared for.
If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, here are some options to consider:
Access to Medical Care
Volunteer pilots often transport patients to specialized medical facilities, especially for those who lack access to local care. This includes patients traveling for surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, and other treatments.
Emergency Response
In the aftermath of natural disasters, general aviation pilots are often among the first to offer assistance. They can provide aerial assessment of damage, transport relief workers, deliver supplies, or help with evacuation efforts. It is vital to always work with an organized group and never self-deploy to provide assistance.
Delivering Precious Cargo
Pilots can assist with the transportation of blood and tissue; however, generally speaking, volunteers should not be engaged in time-critical operations without specialized training and robust risk management efforts. Within the same category, but with a very different mission — many volunteer pilots help rescue animals from overcrowded or “kill” shelters, flying them to new homes or safer facilities.
Environmental/Educational Support
Pilots can aid with conservation efforts, such as aerial surveys of environmental damage, delivery of supplies for environmental projects, scientific studies/wildlife counts, and educational and introductory flights.
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operates as the U.S. Air Force’s civilian volunteer auxiliary, providing emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide using its own airplanes and drones to support local, state, and federal authorities. Pilots also support youth aerospace education by providing orientation flights to CAP cadets, teachers, and ROTC students.
Regarding the Regs
So, you’ve made the decision to help others by becoming a volunteer pilot, and you’re ready to take off on your first philanthropic flight. Not so fast. Just because you have good intentions doesn’t give you a pass to disregard regulations or compromise safety. It’s important to know the rules and fully understand what you can and can’t do as a volunteer pilot conducting a public benefit flight.
A great place to start is by taking the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute’s 30-minute online course, “Public Benefit Flight: Balancing Safety and Compassion.” The course helps explain the additional flight planning considerations required for public benefit flights, and completion earns one basic WINGS knowledge credit through FAASafety.gov.
Prohibition on Compensation
As the name suggests, public benefit flights are non-commercial and for the benefit of the public. In general, a pilot may donate their time and aircraft for public benefit. The pilot must pay for all expenses and aircraft operating costs. The pilot may not receive anything of value in compensation for the flight unless the organization they fly for has an FAA exemption. However, the pilot may be able to deduct direct operating expenses if flying for a qualified charitable organization.
Passenger-carrying Fundraising Flights
An exception to the prohibition on compensation is charitable and local event fundraising. Under 14 CFR section 91.146, reimbursement of the operator of the aircraft is limited to that portion of the passenger payment for the flight that does not exceed the pro rata cost of owning, operating, and maintaining the aircraft for that flight, which may include fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees. Charitable fundraising flights are permitted under specific conditions. Some of these include:
- The flight is nonstop and begins and ends at the same airport and is conducted within a 25-statute-mile radius of that airport.
- Each flight is made during day VFR conditions.
- A private pilot acting as pilot in command has at least 500 hours of flight time.
Pilots must hold a private pilot certificate, be medically eligible to conduct the flight under 61.3(c), and be current in accordance with 14 CFR sections 61.56 and 61.57. Events are limited to four charitable/nonprofit events per year, with no event lasting more than three consecutive days, and one community event per year.
Search and Location Operations
Another exception to the prohibition on compensation received for public benefit is found under 14 CFR section 61.113, where a private pilot may be reimbursed for aircraft operating expenses that directly relate to search and location operations. Compensation is limited to expenses involving only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees, and the operation must be under the direction and control of a local, state, or federal agency, or an organization that conducts search and location operations.
Charitable event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of a charitable organization recognized by the Department of the Treasury whose donors may deduct contributions under 26 U.S.C. section 170.
Community event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of any local or community cause that is not a charitable event or nonprofit event.
Nonprofit event means an event that raises funds for the benefit of a nonprofit organization recognized under state or federal law, as long as one of the organization’s purposes is the promotion of aviation safety.
Charitable Conduct
Most pilots pride themselves on being professional, and that’s never more important than when providing volunteer services. Volunteer flying demands a high level of professionalism and responsibility, far beyond that of a leisurely personal flight, as you might be caring for your passengers’ comfort and well-being in addition to their safety. Ultimately, volunteer pilots need to be able to show compassion towards their passengers without compromising safety.
Part of being professional is ensuring proper coordination before any public benefit flight. Disaster relief efforts over the last few years have highlighted the aviation community’s eagerness to help, but unified communication and coordination with volunteers, government agencies, and response teams are vital to effectively helping the affected community. So, before you hop in your aircraft to lend your support, coordinate with an experienced charity flight program. Collaborating before you take off will ensure you’re a help and not a hindrance.
Additionally, pressure and risk management should be carefully considered when conducting a public benefit flight. As rewarding as volunteer flying is, pilots may face risks in the form of “perceived” pressure to complete a flight they have signed up for, believing it’s imperative to do so for their passengers’ sake. But while admirable, these are not medical emergencies or air ambulance flights, and volunteer pilots should always prioritize safety above reaching the planned destination.
So, push back on the pressure by relying on your preflight and personal minimums. Just as you evaluate the weather before a flight, pilots should make an honest assessment of their own capabilities — using the IMSAFE checklist to ensure they are in a safe and optimal mental and physical state before taking flight. Pilots should also consider their personal minimums, like experience/recency, to manage risk and inform their decision to fly. Incorporate the PAVE checklist (PDF) as part of your comprehensive preflight planning. Note: Flying for organizations like CAP also has its own safety requirements due to the nature of volunteer flying.
Chances to Chip In
If you’re just starting your search to be of service, the Air Care Alliance (ACA) is a good first stop. The ACA acts as an umbrella organization for public benefit flying groups and offers a directory of the groups on its website for patients, social workers, medical referral groups needing assistance, or pilots looking for volunteer opportunities. The website features an online automated referral system that connects volunteer pilots with the organizations that need assistance. After filling out an online form, all it takes is one click to send your information to any organization you wish to help. Check out the site yourself for opportunities to help at AirCareAlliance.org.
Another option, and one of the oldest organizations championing volunteer flights, is LightHawk, a nonprofit formed in 1979 to support environmental conservation efforts. From May 26 to July 14, it relaunched its second annual 50 in 50 Challenge, conducting 50 conservation flights across North America in 50 days. Using volunteer general aviation pilots and aircraft, the challenge supported efforts such as wildlife recovery, habitat protection, water quality monitoring, environmental research, and public education, delivering critical data and photos that inform decisions and accelerate progress on the ground. Using the challenge, LightHawk is connecting people, projects, and places to inspire action and drive real change across North America. You can learn more about the organization and how to volunteer at LightHawk.org.
When practicing general aviation generosity, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and adhere to the regulations.
If compassion flights are more your speed, Patient AirLift Services, or PALS, is a nonprofit that arranges free flights for medical patients requiring medical diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially. PALS assists military personnel and their families with free flights to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation process of wounded veterans. Last year, PALS celebrated its commitment to breaking down transportation barriers to essential medical treatment by serving more than 4,000 families and 33,000 flights. For additional information, including how to get involved, go to SkyHope.org.
And if four-legged friends tug on your heartstrings, Pilots N Paws is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and adopting animals. Volunteer pilots conduct rescue flights and provide overnight foster care or shelter. The Pilots N Paws website provides a discussion forum where pilots can easily search for volunteer opportunities and coordinate and schedule transports. Pilots have total control over who they reply to and the choice of days, times, number of animals, kinds of animals, distance, weather, etc. Learn more at PilotsNPaws.org.
Giving ≠ Giving Up Safety
When practicing general aviation generosity, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and adhere to the regulations. If you decide to conduct public benefit flights, here are some key things to remember:
- Avoid overconfidence in your abilities. Even though it’s for an admirable cause, pilots should be honest about their skill level, especially in challenging conditions or unfamiliar areas.
- Don’t rush or skip your preflight inspection. Thorough preflight checks are crucial for identifying potential issues before they become hazards.
- Always use your checklists. They are essential tools for ensuring all critical steps are followed during all phases of flight.
- Don’t let weather or terrain push you beyond your limits. Pilots should be prepared for potential weather delays and have contingency plans in place.
- Don’t forget your passengers. Depending on your mission, you may be flying with passengers who are not used to general aviation. As a best practice supported by guidance (14 CFR section 91.107), be sure to brief passengers on preflight, cabin, and emergency procedures. Also, be sure to check in with them during the flight and address any discomfort they may be experiencing.
- Always adhere to the FAA’s regulations regarding compensation and aircraft operation. Accepting reimbursement for flights that would be considered illegal charter flights is not permitted.
- Reference the Sharing Aircraft Operating Expenses AC for guidance on how a pilot may share flight expenses with passengers in a manner consistent with 14 CFR section 61.113(c).
- Avoid unnecessary flights, especially in disaster areas. This can strain resources and hinder relief efforts.
- Always practice effective communication. Clear and concise communication is vital for safety.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions and clarify anything you are unsure about. A safe pilot is a continuous learner.
I am not a pilot, so my acts of service are strictly limited to the ground, but giving back makes me feel like I’m soaring. By following these guidelines and prioritizing safety, volunteer pilots can soar (figuratively and literally), providing impactful flights while mitigating risks and complying with regulations.
Learn More
- 14 CFR section 61.113, Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command
- AC 61–142, Sharing Aircraft Operating Expenses in Accordance with 14 CFR 61.113(c)
- FAASTeam Course, ALC-697: Air Charter Safety for CFIs and DPEs
- FAASTeam Course, ALC-1093: Cost Sharing, Time Building, and Posting on Social Media
- Register for upcoming webinars: Volunteer Pilot — Safety Considerations and Scenario Review
Nicole Hartman is an FAA Safety Briefing associate editor and technical writer-editor in the FAA’s Flight Standards Service.
