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Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:57 pm
by Tikis_mom
I had asked a pilot for help with rescue transport the person mentioned they would need $500 to cover the cost for the gas of their plane per their e mail

"I would be happy to help but would need help with gas. My aircraft costs about 100 dollars an hour to operate and would take about 5 hours round trip to fly from my home base of FL to atlanta and return. The aircraft is a four seater so I could carry two or three dogs up front and maybe one in the luggage compartment if they are in small kennels."

Now I have coordinated flights with PNP pilots in the past (6) and never has a pilot asked for gas $ or taken it even when offered and I know transportation is a form of a tax donation and a write off as a 501 3c if you transport in a plane so is parking etc. I don't know if this pilot is new and has never done a rescue mission or with PNP or is this considered double dipping? I did get their e mail contact off the forums.

Any feedback is appreciated. If this is legit I am okay with this if not then who do I notify?

Re: Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 11:52 pm
by Tikis_mom
Thank you to those who e mailed me, admin and I are working on this and educating the pilot who is new to PNP.

Re: Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:47 pm
by admin
Hi Everyone,

Pilots N Paws is a non-profit 501c3 charitable organization. As such, our pilots are eligible to claim part of their flight expenses as a donation. Each pilot must check with their tax advisor for appropriate claims. The IRS regs do change on occassion so we are not in a position to advise you.

The pilot who is asking for compensation for his volunteer flights is in violation of the FAA regs. For the most part, General Aviation pilots are not permitted to receive any monetary compensation for their volunteer flights. An exception is GA pilots who fly freight. The no compensation rule includes most charitable groups though PAL has recently sought and received an exclusion. There are numerous requirements they have to meet which are not possible for our pilots or program. We have the information of what is required by them in order to receive reimbursement for fuel costs and would be glad to share if anyone would like to read them.

Regarding our wonderful volunteer pilots and for clarification, please refer to the following threads:

http://pilotsnpaws.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2084

and also this discussion on our 501c3:

http://www.pilotsnpaws.org/forum/viewto ... f=3&t=1230

On the upper right hand corner of each page is a FAQ section that has a section for both pilots and rescues. Pilots have a plane icon and rescues have a lifesaver ring. Many of your questions can be answered there we encourage everyone to read both sections.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask and thanks to each of you for helping the animals who need us.

Admin

Re: Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:58 am
by Steve Foley
admin wrote: The pilot who is asking for compensation for his volunteer flights is in violation of the FAA regs. General Aviation pilots are not permitted to receive any monetary compensation for their volunteer flights.
This is not completely accurate.

A part 135 freight service can receive compensation, and is still considered general aviation.

Re: Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 2:54 pm
by admin
Steve Foley wrote:
admin wrote: The pilot who is asking for compensation for his volunteer flights is in violation of the FAA regs. General Aviation pilots are not permitted to receive any monetary compensation for their volunteer flights.
This is not completely accurate.

A part 135 freight service can receive compensation, and is still considered general aviation.
Steve, question, the statement is with regards to volunteer flights. I am guessing GA freight pilots could volunteer to move freight and then be paid for it? Just trying to clarify further.

Will change the admin statment and add this caveat.

Thanks!

Re: Pilot asking for gas money????

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 8:17 pm
by CouchesForAfghans
I have one asking for fuel $500 - https://pilotsnpaws.org/forum/viewtopic ... 05#p198805

claiming they can give a 501(c)3 donation receipt - we are already 501(c)3 - have never had this happen. Not sure how to handle it :-(

Thanks
-Amy Gibbs
Director - Couches For Afghans - 501(c)3
www.couchesforafghans.com
[email protected]