"Ron Natalie" wrote in message om...

This is certainly NOT the case. The FAA has repeatedly struck down ride
share operations that involve no money changing hands (not pilot compensation,.
not even expenxes). There are two things the FAA has interpretted that throw
a monkey wrench into things: non-monetary compensation (such as the accrual
of flight time), and carrying passengers in air commerce (not a private vs. commercial
issue but a part 91 vs. 135 one).


The non-monetary compensation (i.e. flight time) issue that I know
of, involved someone else paying for the operating expenses of the
plane. This is not an issue for private pilots who are absorbing the
full cost of the flight. The "absorbing the full cost" is the key,
rather than just not accepting monetary payment.

I think the point that Elliott was trying to make is that there a
few restictions on a private pilot flying someone for any
non-commercial reason, as long as the pilot pays for the cost of the
flight. Does that sound reasonable? I know it doesn't count, but
I've asked several local FSDO inspectors and they agree with that
interpretation.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)