The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sent a letter to Blackbird Air, an online marketplace, aircraft agent and charter broker, which created a web-based application (app) that connects passengers with pilots. The idea behind the app is for passengers to give up their cars and replace those more time-consuming journeys with flights operated by hand-picked pilots and aircraft using more convenient airports. At the time of writing, the app was still available for download on Blackbird Air's website.
In its communication with Blackbird Air, the FAA outlined its policy on the requirements for pilots who are paid to fly passengers. The policy states that pilots who are paid to fly passengers generally cannot just hold the required Commercial or Airline Transport pilot licence – they also must be employed by the company operating the flight, which must hold a certificate issued under Part 119 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Failing that, the pilots must hold a Part 119 certificate themselves.
In an update published on the FAA's website, the administrator urged caution from the travelling public when making such bookings, as flights can be arranged very easily on mobile devices, with little thought often given to whether it is legal or safe.
Passengers paying for a charter flight are entitled to higher safety levels than is required for a free flight from a friend. For example, pilots carrying paying customers must have the required training and qualifications and the aircraft must be maintained to the standards that the FAA's charter regulations require. In addition, pilots are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
The FAA used the update to also reiterate that any pilot who provides charter flights without complying with the Part 119 certificate requirement would be violating the Federal Aviation Regulations – even if they possess a Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot licence.
