cmurf is correct. The FAA has an absolutely ridiculous standard for what they consider commercial activity. If you are a private pilot, you may not: * Go joyri

cmurf is correct. The FAA has an absolutely ridiculous standard for what they consider commercial activity. If you are a private pilot, you may not: * Go joyriding with a friend if they pay you more than their share of the operating expenses (gas, oil, airport fees, etc) of the flight. * Have a friend ask you "hey, want to fly to <insert location> this weekend?" and then take him there. Doing so could be construed as you providing a transportation service, even if he pays you nothing. Basically, what you can do is offer friends to come along on a flight you intend to make and will make even if they don't come, while paying no more than their fair share. If making the flight is contingent on them coming, you are providing a transportation service. The fact that these activities would be perfectly fine if done in a car apparently matters not one whit to the FAA.