14 CFR Part 61 · Subpart E · Private Pilots
14 CFR 61.113: Private pilot privileges and sharing costs
A private pilot may not fly for compensation or hire, but may share a flight's fuel, oil, airport expenses and rental fees with passengers, paying at least their own pro rata share. A few narrow exceptions apply, and the section also sets the limits for flying under BasicMed.
Section last amended October 22, 2025 · Text current as of October 15, 2026 · Also cited as FAR 61.113 · Read it on eCFR
14 CFR 61.113 in plain English
- No acting as pilot in command for compensation or hire, or carrying passengers or property for hire. (a)
- Flying incidental to your business or job is allowed if no passengers or property are carried for hire. (b)
- You may share costs, but must pay at least your pro rata share, and only fuel, oil, airport expenditures and rental fees count. (c)
- Charitable and community event flights under 91.146, search and location reimbursement, and aircraft sales demos with 200 hours are allowed. (d)
- Under BasicMed: aircraft authorized for no more than 7 occupants and 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight, no more than 6 passengers, below 18,000 feet MSL, at or below 250 knots, and within the US unless another country allows it. (i)
- Under BasicMed, keep the completed medical examination checklist and course certificate in your logbook. (i)(3)
Common questions
- Can three friends and I split the rental four ways?
- Yes, if you pay at least your quarter and the costs are fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees. Paragraph (c) only allows sharing; it does not allow the passengers to pay your share.
- Does logging time count as compensation?
- The FAA has treated flight time itself as compensation in its legal interpretations, which is why a private pilot cannot take a free flight in return for flying someone somewhere. Ask before relying on a common-purpose arrangement.
- What are the BasicMed limits now?
- As the section currently reads: an aircraft authorized for no more than 7 occupants with a maximum takeoff weight of no more than 12,500 pounds, no more than 6 passengers, not above 18,000 feet MSL, not above 250 knots indicated, and not outside the US unless authorized. Check the official text below for the current version.
Official text of 14 CFR 61.113
§ 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command. Verbatim from the eCFR, current as of October 15, 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).
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