Will Allow Charitable Sightseeing Flights To Continue "As Is"

FAA Exemption 7111C, which allows EAA chapters to conduct charitable sightseeing flights without having to comply with the full FAR 135 and 121 drug-testing requirements, has been renewed by the FAA. The exemption permits EAA Chapters to conduct local sightseeing flights during daylight hours within 25 statute miles radius of the event airport.

Under the exemption, private pilots can act as pilot-in-command of such flights as long as they comply with FAR 61.113(d), which requires notification of the closest FSDO of the event. Pilots and event organizers are limited to four charitable sightseeing flight events per year under this exemption.

To operate under this exemption, individual EAA Chapters must request permission by calling the EAA Chapter office staff at (920) 426-6867. Individual EAA members may also operate under the exemption for local events they do on their own by applying directly to the Department of Transportation for a drug testing exemption. Such events include church raffles/fundraisers, local school foundation fundraisers, etc. If the pilot has not flown in four charitable sightseeing events during the year, the FAA will approve the exemption request.

Individual exemption requests must be either faxed to the DOT Docket office at 202/493-2251 or mailed to:

DOT Docket Management System
400 7th Street, SW, Room PL 401
Washington, DC 20591

FMI: www.eaa.org