[brulez]

The problem with the current FAA rules is that even commercial pilots are banned from taking part in a service like this.

In fact, even pilots with the highest possible certification (Airline Transport Pilot) cannot provide transport unless operating under a company with a Part 119 Commercial Air Carrier license.

[cwyers]

I don't have a problem with that, either. Uber drivers put a lot more stress on their cars than ordinary drivers do, but ordinarily the worst consequence of that is that someone gets stuck at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. If the same holds true for Uber-but-for-planes, the consequences of that are potentially a lot more severe. Requiring that commercial flights are held to a different standard as far as aircraft maintenance and such, not just pilot licensing, makes a lot of sense to me.

[fleitz]

There's maintenance standards for a reason if you put X hours on a plane you have to do the required maintence for X hours. Commercial licenses are much more about making sure the maintenance is actually done because people might skip the maintenance.

It doesn't matter whether passengers are paying or not, similar to how in cars if you put X KMs on it requires the same amount of maintenance.

Have you seen a taxi? They are regular cars. Just like an Uber...

[Animats]

Flying is inherently dangerous. Only with huge amounts of effort has it been made safe. There's about one general aviation crash a day in the US.

Air taxi services come under FAR Part 135[1][2]. This sets standards for an air taxi service as a business. The standards are below those for an airline, but above those for recreational flight. A general basis of US aviation regulation is that you can kill yourself if you want to, but you can't kill other people. So there are low level licenses such as "Sport pilot" and "Private pilot", and low levels of inspection for private planes. There's an "experimental" category of aircraft, often owner-built from kits. These crash about one order of magnitude more than commercially built aircraft.

Once it's a business, the rules get much tougher. The pilot, plane, and business are all regulated. The pilot has to have 1200 hours and meet other criteria, the plane has to have some redundant equipment, and the business has to keep records of aircraft, flights, pilots, and inspections. Single engine aircraft can be used, but they must have some redundant equipment, such as dual alternators, plus the usual IFR instruments.

Here are Flytenow's terms:

"FLYTENOW OFFERS INFORMATION AND A METHOD TO CONNECT PILOTS WHO ARE FLYING TO A DESTINATION WITH ENTHUSIAST WHO HAVE A COMMON PURPOSE IN SUCH DESTINATION, BUT DOES NOT AND DOES NOT INTEND TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OR ACT IN ANY MANNER AS A TRANSPORTATION CARRIER, AND HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES VOLUNTARILY PROVIDED TO ANY ENTHUSIAST BY ANY PILOT USING THE FLYTENOW PLATFORM."

"As a Member, I agree that I am about to voluntarily participate in various activities, including flying activities as a passenger, pilot, student pilot, copilot, or instructor. In consideration of Pilot permitting me to participate in these activities, I, for myself, my heirs, administrators, executor, and assigns, hereby covenant and agree that I will never institute, prosecute, or in any way aid in the institution, prosecution of, any demand, claim, or suit against Pilot for any destruction, loss, damage, or injury (including death) to my person or property which may occur from any cause whatsoever as a result of my participation in the activities with Pilot. I know, understand, and agree that I am freely assuming the risk of my personal injury, death, property damage, or loss or destruction that may result while participating in the activities with Pilot."

This is no way to run a business.

[1] http://www.avweb.com/news/usedacft/184520-1.html [2] https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-135

[lmm]

> Flying is inherently dangerous. Only with huge amounts of effort has it been made safe. There's about one general aviation crash a day in the US.

How does that compare to the rate of car crashes?