Flying for business.

flyerone · April 18th, 2006, 20:08

I recently got my PPL and also started a new job that requires me to travel about 50% of the time. The company pays me $700 if I am required to be out of town for 3 days. My questions is: If I rent a plane and fly myself, am I able to accept the $700? The money is supposed to cover travel, hotel and meals. The trips are usually less than 500 miles.

meritflyer · April 18th, 2006, 20:26

A private pilot may for compensation, act as PIC of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if

1. The flight is incidental to that business.
2. There are no passengers or property for hire aboard.

So as long as your employer doesn't require you to fly for your job and there are not items for hire on board, you are good to go.

SoFlo · April 18th, 2006, 20:28

While you are at it, take some PAX for hire with you. Just dont tell anyone. You will be fine. Im just kidding, dont do that.

ComplexHiAv8r · April 18th, 2006, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by meritflyer

A private pilot may for compensation, act as PIC of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if -

1. The flight is incidental to that business.
2. There are no passengers or property for hire aboard.

So as long as your employer doesn't require you to fly for your job and there are not items for hire on board, you are good to go.

Just my opinion.

I agree, and actual do this ALOT. You are required to attend a meeting, either drive or fly, it doesn't matter. You co-worker needs to go to, still not a problem (but he gets his $700, don't ask for money except maybe 1/2 fuel). You just can't take the co-worker because it would be cheaper and faster if you DONT have to be there as well. I actually rent aircraft and bill them back to client as I would a rental car. Got approval by a big three automaker's legal department, so have fun flying for work. Just remember that weather can really play into business travel.

Safe Flights!

meritflyer · April 18th, 2006, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

I agree, and actual do this ALOT. You are required to attend a meeting, either drive or fly, it doesn't matter. You co-worker needs to go to, still not a problem (but he gets his $700, don't ask for money except maybe 1/2 fuel). You just can't take the co-worker because it would be cheaper and faster if you DONT have to be there as well. I actually rent aircraft and bill them back to client as I would a rental car. Got approval by a big three automaker's legal department, so have fun flying for work. Just remember that weather can really play into business travel.

Safe Flights!

Just be VERY careful if it is done for your own business. Should you try to write off trips on a tax return, that trips the red flag alert at the IRS. There have been many rulings about traveling salesman flying their airplanes and writing it off. See the AOPAs website section on taxes.

BrianNC · April 18th, 2006, 23:13

Even though it is legal, you should check with your employer though. They may have a policy against this as it subjects them to liability in the case there is harm or damage to persons or property from the plane while you are on company business. A lot of companies do not allow their employees to do this for that reason.

There was a real good article about this in AOPA over the past couple of years. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

NW004 · April 19th, 2006, 02:46

Do you guys rent airplanes? or do you guys own one?

ComplexHiAv8r · April 19th, 2006, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by meritflyer

Just be VERY careful if it is done for your own business. Should you try to write off trips on a tax return, that trips the red flag alert at the IRS. There have been many rulings about traveling salesman flying their airplanes and writing it off. See the AOPAs website section on taxes.

I do, and have all the documentation for the IRS in the event it happens. Having permission of the client in writing also helps! For them, it actually just a pass-thru in expense.

ComplexHiAv8r · April 19th, 2006, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW004

Do you guys rent airplanes? or do you guys own one?

I have rented the aircraft for business travels in the past.

Mr_Creepy · April 19th, 2006, 13:58

I write off aircraft rental expenses all the time. I just put it under "Travel Expense"

Of course it helps to have professional pilot ratings

April 18th, 2006, 20:08	#1
flyerone Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 18	Flying for business. I recently got my PPL and also started a new job that requires me to travel about 50% of the time. The company pays me $700 if I am required to be out of town for 3 days. My questions is: If I rent a plane and fly myself, am I able to accept the $700? The money is supposed to cover travel, hotel and meals. The trips are usually less than 500 miles.

April 18th, 2006, 20:26	#2
meritflyer Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winchestertonfieldville Posts: 6,736	FAR 61.113 (b)(1)(2) A private pilot may for compensation, act as PIC of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if 1. The flight is incidental to that business. 2. There are no passengers or property for hire aboard. So as long as your employer doesn't require you to fly for your job and there are not items for hire on board, you are good to go. __________________ The simplest answer tends to be correct.

April 18th, 2006, 23:13	#6
BrianNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 817	Even though it is legal, you should check with your employer though. They may have a policy against this as it subjects them to liability in the case there is harm or damage to persons or property from the plane while you are on company business. A lot of companies do not allow their employees to do this for that reason. There was a real good article about this in AOPA over the past couple of years. I'll see if I can find it and post it. __________________ BrianNC

April 19th, 2006, 13:58	#10
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,809	I write off aircraft rental expenses all the time. I just put it under "Travel Expense" Of course it helps to have professional pilot ratings __________________ "You know you're winning an argument with a liberal when they start calling you names" johntenney.com The PEO Message Myspace My Business - PEO Pros

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April 18th, 2006, 20:28	#3
SoFlo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 703	While you are at it, take some PAX for hire with you. Just dont tell anyone. You will be fine. Im just kidding, dont do that.

April 19th, 2006, 02:46	#7
NW004 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 274	Do you guys rent airplanes? or do you guys own one?