Private Pilot Reimbursement Question

dell30rb

dell30rb

Final Approach
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
7,147
Location
Raleigh NC
Display Name
Ren
Home Airfield
KTTA, NC81
I would like to create a documentary (of sorts) consisting of HD aerial video footage of my state's coastline. I will personally fly the airplane and shoot the footage, paying a local film studio to produce it into a short documentary for FREE distribution on youtube, or a free download from my site.

The funding for this would come from donations, paying for the airplane cost (rental, fuel) and the cost of production. It will be done in my spare time, and I won't be making any profit and will probably wind up paying for some of the airplane myself.

Thoughts? Note I am not carrying any people or goods for hire and my work could be considered charity, its meant to be an informative documentary for free distribution to the public.

Thanks
 
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I think you'd have to watch out for the IRS on the "donation" side of the house.

But as long as the people who give you money don't get anything in return, it's no different than your parents/spouse/whoever giving you the money to fly. The FAA generally cares only when you someone is giving you money to fly for their direct or indirect benefit.

Our own Ted DuPuis flies dogs and has a charitable foundation that raises money and operates the airplanes. Hopefully he'll chime in but I'm pretty sure that he could do all that flying with a private as long as he didn't take any income from it. Since he has a commercial the foundation can actually pay him something to do the pilot chores, I believe.

Of course, this is all my opinion. I'm not The Most Interesting Pilot In The World, or the FAA chief counsel, so I could be wrong.
 
First of all your use of the word "scheme" is not really a great choice of words and automatically sets off alarms.

The way I interpret this is you are seeking donation to fly and make the video of the states coast line ( you don't live in Kansas do you ;)). I think its problematic but can't say off the bat that its not kosher with the FAA. I do think that the FAA as an administrative industry is going to look at your intent and not just what you are calling this "plan" Before you do this is would be wise to consult with an aviation attorney such as those on the AOPA panel.
 
Adam your point is well taken, I edited my original post...

The main reason I am doing this is because I would enjoy it and I think I can provide something that someone (hopefully) will enjoy watching, and maybe learn a thing or two. I'm an avid sailor and fisherman with several hundred days at sea, i know the inlets like the back of my hand, and would like to "share the beauty" that an aerial flight of the coastline provides.

I will definitely consult with the AOPA legal services people before taking this on.

Another snag: one of the websites I am considering using to promote / collect donations insists that a donor get "something" in return. That something is completely up to me to determine, and can be anything from a free copy of the video on DVD (for larger donations) to a "thank you" mention in the credits or on the project website for smaller donations. The video would still be released free to the public.

I can see giving away a free copy (even though the download will be free to the public) may make this illegal via the FAA, but would a thank you on the website?

Thanks for the replies, I will definitely consult with the AOPA legal squad before undertaking this. Main reason for posting here was to see if it might be legal or if I am just wasting my time. I would certainly like to make this video but can't afford the airplane, and professional production without funding help.
 
First of all, use of words that insinuate you are asking for donations to fly. is a no no.

Convince the FAA and AOPA that you are seeking donations to make a video. how you do that is your business.

And remember, every one here gets a free copy.
 
A person can make money flying folks around in their own plane as a private pilot. I admit that I have done this freely and publicly!
 
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