The FAA has a tiered framework of safety regulations based on the relationship of the passengers to the flight that makes sense to me: Tier 1: Scheduled airlin

The FAA has a tiered framework of safety regulations based on the relationship of the passengers to the flight that makes sense to me: Tier 1: Scheduled airline service -- Passengers generally can't choose the model of aircraft and might even get a different airline via codeshare. They have no ability to evaluate the pilot before the flight. The airline, flight related employees, and the aircraft are all subject to heavy regulation. Tier 2: Charter aircraft -- Passengers are usually choosing the aircraft and can speak to the pilots. Still very substantial regulation but less than airlines. Tier 3: Private flying -- pilots can't charge for the flight, only share costs, and have to be traveling together even to share costs. Passengers will generally know the pilot personally and be able to evaluate their judgment. Regulations are much lighter. Tier 4: Experimental aircraft -- Airplanes that haven't been certified have to have EXPERIMENTAL in big letters as you get on the plane, and you can't charge passengers money at all. Bigger and faster experimental aircraft like jet fighters are more regulated in where and when they can fly so that they're less likely to kill people on the ground when they crash, but the FAA is relatively hands-off if it's only the pilot's life at risk.