(For the USA)

As PIC, you'll need a Commercial Pilot Certificate, an endorsement in
your logbook for self-launch, and a current Flight Review. I bet
you've got these.

3 takeoffs and landings in glider category within the previous 90 days
to carry passengers.

Carrying passengers (or giving instruction) for hire in your aircraft
will now require a 100 hour inspection (airframe hours, not the
engine) for your motorglider as well as an Annual Inspection, although
if you time it right you can use the annual to restart your 100 hour
inspection clock, but not the other way around since a 100 hour can be
done by an A&P, but the annual must be done by an A&P with IA
(Inspection Authority.)

Next increase in your expenses will be insurance. Explain to your
broker what you plan to do with your motorglider and get a quote. Be
honest because you want complete coverage in case of an incident or
worse.

You may also need to get "premise insurance" to cover you if your ride
customers trip over a tiedown rope or gopher hole and injure
themselves somewhere on the airport. You are putting your personal
assets on the line when you carry passengers, especially for hire. I
use Costello Associates -- they are efficient and it is good to
support the SSA Group Insurance Plan. See the back cover of your
"Soaring" magazine. You are a member of the SSA, right?

So your business plan for giving rides will need to include the
slightly increased expenses for staying current, the 100 hour
inspections, advertising, signs, the extra insurance premium (if any),
and the cost of burp bags. See the April 2008 issue of "Soaring"
magazine for an article on "Giving A Better Glider Ride."

Build your fees based on your expenses, and then add in the "extra
cash" you hope to make. Crunching my numbers and to make a profit, I
must charge $119. for a 20 minute glider ride. You may be surprised
how much you have to charge, and be more surprised when folks
willingly hand over the cash for the unique experience.

Consider getting a credit card account, as folks will spend more using
the plastic.

Check with your state Sales Tax folks, and your local county or town
to register as a business. In some states, rides for recreation (not
for education) can be taxed.

Form a LLC or a Corporation for another layer of protection (but with
no guarantees.)

Some FAA regulations you need to be aware of:

91.111 No formation flight while carrying passenges for hire.

91.303 FAA's definition of aerobatics. It is NOT the 60 / 30 degree
rule - read carefully to the end of the paragraph - it can be a trap!

91 307 Parachutes required if you do the mildest aerobatics. This is
the 60 / 30 degree rule.

Check with your airport management on how they will view you now as a
Commercial / FBO offering rides for hire, rather than a private
citizen. If you do not talk to them in advance, then you may hear
from them when you put up your signs. Find out now how they will
regard you if you begin a Commercial operation, and if they demand
that you carry higher levels of liability insurance. I speak from
experience, from my early days operating a glider ride business in
Miami, Florida! That's part of the reason I moved to Marfa, Texas,
where the local government leaves you alone as long as you are safe.

Now think about how you are putting your assets on the line when you
hold yourself out to the public offering commercial glider rides.
Consider more preventative maintenance. Many of us give rides safely
and in compliance with the FAA rules and the Insurance Policy
requirements, but go into the enterprise with eyes wide open.

When you get up and running, list your business on the SSA website /
"Where To Fly" map.

You will enjoy sharing the flying experience with the public, and
making friends or future pilots.

Fly safe, do business "by the book", and good luck!

Burt
Marfa Gliders Soaring Center, west Texas
(offering Glider Rides year-round)