FAA PUBLISHES POLICY CLARIFICATION ON CHARITABLE MEDICAL FLIGHTS
FAA published a Notice describing its policy for volunteer pilots operating charitable medical flights. The notice of policy is issued in response to Section 821 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95) (the “Act”). This action becomes effective on February 22, 2013.
Charitable medical flights are flights where a pilot, aircraft owner, and/or operator provides transportation for an individual or organ for medical purposes. Volunteer pilot organizations have petitioned the FAA for exemption from the requirements of 14 CFR 61.113(c) so their pilots can be reimbursed for some or all of the expenses they incur while flying these flights. To allow compensation for expenses for the transportation of individuals, these private pilots are participating in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited by 14 CFR 61,113(c). FAA has determined this activity can be conducted safely with limits applied to the organizations, pilots, and aircraft.
Beginning in 2010, FAA issued several exemptions to charitable medical flight organizations granting relief from the requirements of 14 CFR 61.113(c). The exemptions contain conditions and limitations that are intended to raise the level of safety for these flights. FAA recognizes the practical implications and benefits from this type of charity flying and will continue to issue exemptions for flights described by Section 821 of the Act. FAA will continuously update these conditions and limitations as necessary to best ensure these operations meet this equivalent level of safety.
If you have any questions about the policy on charitable medical flights, please contact our office.