R44 PIC and Commercial Operator Questions

[JDHelicopterPilot]

KISS

 

That's all I got to say. Over and Out.

[naflight]

You are not a 'commercial operator'. Don't accept any payment. Even though you can do the whole 'pro rata' business, it's less confusing and more transparent to everyone including the flight school.

 

You are not 'holding out' (common carriage) as a carrier.

 

It is legal in that sense, BUT:

 

Here are the things you need to look at:

 

1. The owners of the property. Get a letter from them giving you permission to land.

2. The flight school renting the helicopter. Make sure they know this is not 'for hire' and it's a family thing. You're paying the rent for the machine. Worst case they say no and you take one of their CFIs. Maybe even have part of your dual be a checkout into the LZ. Part of every 44 checkout needs to be 'gross weight' operations for a true feel for the machine.

3. Check with the police department of the town you will be operating into. Most of the time they are in the know about what the town bylaws are. Some towns do have 'no helicopter operations', but if you check with the police and they're not aware that's one less thing to worry about. We flew into a high school for a career day and the police department and the school required a fire truck present. This was the only time this was required, but it's good to check with the PD.

4. Follow the obvious rules - don't overfly houses or crowds on low approach, be noise sensitive, etc. etc. I'm guessing there is a nice wide open area not surrounded by crowded neighborhoods and lots of parked cars?

5. Maybe even have someone working as a ground crew when you fly into the wedding as an extra safety measure?

 

We do this for various charitable events and fairs, and for the occasional exemptions allowed by the FSDO. This procedure has never let us down.

 

Things may be different in your area.

 

Curt