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Original Message
"Warbird rides and FAA rules"

Posted by ski on 01-12-05 at 20:07z
Why does the FAA prohibit the use of certain aircraft such as P-51's from being used to make money with rides but allow T-6's? I see Stallion-51 offers "orientation flights" in TF-51's. Why is that allowed? I am not a pilot yet but that would be my dream business - offering warbird rides. I also believe that it would keep these vintage aircraft and our history alive. Obviously, we have a demand for such flights because people are paying $30k+ to go to Russia and fly Migs. What is the FAA objection? Any information on this is much appreciated.

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"RE: Warbird rides and FAA rules"
Posted by Ben_Chiu on 01-13-05 at 23:48z
Greetings ski:

> Why does the FAA prohibit the use of certain aircraft such as P-51's
> from being used to make money with rides but allow T-6's? I see
> Stallion-51 offers "orientation flights" in TF-51's. Why is that
> allowed?

AFAIK, the FAA doesn't "prohibit" anyone from using aircraft to make money with if they can meet the requirements for a certificate that allows carrying passengers for hire. (Well, there are exceptions like current military aircraft are prohibited if I recall correctly.) What usually keeps folks from entering this kind of business are the costs involved with insurance and obtaining and maintaining an FAA air carrier certificate. The numbers usually don't work out.

Now this is just a guess, but perhaps the fact that the P-51 is usually a single seater and the T-6 is a dual seater, and the relative costs of each has something to do with the practicality of running such businesses.

What some organizations do is "bend" the rules a bit by requiring passengers to become members of their organization to reduce some of the liability/costs/rules, but it's a shaky path at best if something goes wrong.


> I am not a pilot yet but that would be my dream business -
> offering warbird rides. I also believe that it would keep these vintage
> aircraft and our history alive. Obviously, we have a demand for such
> flights because people are paying $30k+ to go to Russia and fly Migs.

As we all know, the rules are a lot more flexible in Russia. :)


> What is the FAA objection? Any information on this is much appreciated.

Hope this helps.

Ben


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