Common Carriage
As a commercial pilot, you can offer your pilot services to anyone and be compensated for it, so long as you are not the airplane's operator.
A common carrier is a person OR organization that will "hold itself out" to the public, or to a segment of the public.
- Common carriers are required to operate under Parts 121 or 135.
- There are four elements in defining a common carrier:
- a holding out of a willingness to
- transport persons or property
- from place to place
- for compensation.
- This "holding out" make a person a common carrier and can be done in many
ways, including:
- Advertizing your services as a pilot
- Showing a willingness to offer your services to anyone
Private carriers may conduct operations under part 125 or 91.