FAR 61.113 — Private Pilot Privileges
FAR 61.113 explains private pilot privileges and limitations as PIC: compensation rules, pro rata cost sharing, charitable flights, and BasicMed conditions.
In Plain English
FAR 61.113 defines what a private pilot can and cannot do as pilot in command (PIC). The general rule: you may not act as PIC for compensation or hire, nor carry passengers or property for compensation or hire. The rest of the section lists the exceptions you can use.
Key privileges and limits:
- Business flights: You may fly for business if the flight is incidental to that business and you don't carry passengers/property for hire.
- Pro rata share: When flying with passengers, you must pay at least your equal share of fuel, oil, airport fees, or rental costs — you can't pay less.
- Charitable/community events: Allowed under § 91.146 if you and the sponsor follow its rules.
- Search and rescue: You may be reimbursed for fuel, oil, airport fees, or rental when sanctioned by a government agency or SAR organization.
- Aircraft sales demo: With 200+ hours, you may demo aircraft to prospective buyers.
- Glider/ultralight towing: Permitted if you meet § 61.69.
- BasicMed (paragraph i): You may fly without a Part 67 medical using a valid U.S. driver's license, in aircraft with ≤7 occupants and ≤12,500 lbs MTOW, ≤6 passengers, below 18,000 ft MSL, and at ≤250 KIAS.
This section matters because misusing privileges — especially accepting compensation — is a common path to certificate action.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.113§ 61.113 Private pilot privileges and limitations: Pilot in command.
(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).
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-115, 72 FR 6910, Feb. 13, 2007; Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-9157, Amdt. 61-140, 82 FR 3165, Jan. 11, 2017; Docket FAA-2021-1040, Amdt. 61-152, 87 FR 71237, Nov. 22, 2022; Docket FAA-2024-2580; Amdt. 61-158, 89 FR 90577, Nov. 18, 2024; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35218, July 24, 2025]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1As a private pilot, can you share flight expenses with your passengers? If so, how?
Yes. Per FAR 61.113(c), I may share expenses but cannot pay less than my pro rata share, and the expenses are limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.
Q2Can a private pilot fly for their employer in connection with a business?
Yes, under FAR 61.113(b), provided the flight is only incidental to the business or employment and the aircraft is not carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.
Q3What are the operating limitations for a private pilot exercising BasicMed privileges?
Under FAR 61.113(i), the aircraft must carry no more than 7 occupants with 6 or fewer passengers, have a max takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs or less, and the flight must stay at or below 18,000 ft MSL and 250 KIAS, and within the U.S. unless otherwise authorized.
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Related Sections in Part 61