204 - Regulations & Privileges
Pilot and Medical Certificate Requirements and Duration
PIC Currency and Additional PIC Training Requirements
Commercial Pilot Requirements
250 total hours (141 waived)
100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 in airplanes
100 hours PIC (50 in airplanes)
50 hours XC PIC (10 in airplanes)
20 hours dual
10 hours simulated instrument
10 hours complex or TAA
2hr XC daytime, 100NM straight-line
2hr XC night, 100NM straight-line
3hrs checkride prep
10 hours solo in ASEL
XC 300NM, landings at three points, one straight-line 250NM+
5 hours night VFR
10 TO/Landings at night at an airport with an operating control tower
FAR 91
Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations
See priv830
FAR 61.117
Except as provided in § 61.113 of this part, no private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as second in command of an aircraft that is type certificated for more than one pilot, nor may that pilot act as second in command of such an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.
Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations
FAR 61.133
Privileges -
Limitations.
(1) A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category or powered-lift category rating and does not hold an instrument rating in the same category and class will be issued a commercial pilot certificate that contains the limitation, “The carriage of passengers for hire in (airplanes) (powered-lifts) on cross-country flights in excess of 50 nautical miles or at night is prohibited.” The limitation may be removed when the person satisfactorily accomplishes the requirements listed in § 61.65 of this part for an instrument rating in the same category and class of aircraft listed on the person's commercial pilot certificate.
Private Versus Common Carriage
AC 120-12A https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20120-12A.pdf
A carrier becomes a common carrier when it “holds itself out” or to a segment of the public, as willing to furnish transportation within the limits of its facilities to any person who wants it.
There are four elements in defining a common carrier; (1) a holding out of a willingness to (2) transport persons or property (3) from place to place (4) for compensation.
Physically holding out without advertising where a reputation to serve all is gained is sufficient to constitute an offer to carry all customers. There are many means by which physical holding out may take place. For example, the expression of willingness to all customers with whom contact is made that the operator can and will perform the requested service is sufficient. The fact that the holding out generates little success is of no consequence. The nature and character of the operation are the important issue.
Carriage for hire which does not involve “holding out” is private carriage. Private carriers for hire are sometimes called “contract carriers,” but the term is borrowed from the Interstate Commerce Act and legally inaccurate when I* used in connection with the Federal Aviation Act.
A carrier operating pursuant to 18 to 24 contracts has been held to be a common carrier because it held itself out to serve the public generally to the extent of its facilities.
Exemptions to FAR Part 119 (FAR 119.1)
FAR 119 - Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators
FAR 119.1 Covers applicability of Part 119
When common carriage is not involved, in operations of U.S.-registered civil airplanes with a seat configuration of 20 or more passengers, or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more.
This part does not govern operations conducted under part 91, subpart K (when common carriage is not involved) nor does it govern operations conducted under part 129, 133, 137, or 139 of this chapter.
Except for operations when common carriage is not involved conducted with airplanes having a passenger-seat configuration of 20 seats or more, excluding any required crewmember seat, or a payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more, this part does not apply to -
Student Instruction
Nonstop Commercial Air Tours conducted after September 11, 2007, in an airplane or helicopter having a standard airworthiness certificate and passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer and a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that begin and end at the same airport, and are conducted within a 25-statute mile radius of that airport, in compliance with the Letter of Authorization issued under § 91.147 of this chapter. For nonstop Commercial Air Tours conducted in accordance with part 136, subpart B of this chapter, National Parks Air Tour Management, the requirements of part 119 of this chapter apply unless excepted in § 136.37(g)(2). For Nonstop Commercial Air Tours conducted in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, the requirements of SFAR 50-2, part 93, subpart U, and part 119 of this chapter, as applicable, apply.
Ferry flights
Aerial work operations, including -
Crop dusting, seeding, spraying, and bird chasing;
Banner towing;
Aerial photography or survey;
Fire fighting;
Helicopter operations in construction or repair work (but it does apply to transportation to and from the site of operations); and
Powerline or pipeline patrol;
Sightseeing flights conducted in hot air balloons;
Nonstop flights conducted within a 25-statute-mile radius of the airport of takeoff carrying persons or objects for the purpose of conducting intentional parachute operations.
Emergency mail service conducted under 49 U.S.C. 41906;
Operations conducted under the provisions of § 91.321 (Carriage of Candidates in an Election) of this chapter; or
Small UAS operations conducted under part 107 of this chapter.
NTSB 830 - Reporting Requirements and Preservation of Wreckage