Experimental aircraft are restricted from carrying persons or property for
hire. There is no restriction against all commercial operations. Spotters,
photographers, and other crewmembers are not persons or property being
carried for hire.
§ 91.319 Aircraft having experimental certificates: Operating limitations.
(a) No person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate—

(1) For other than the purpose for which the certificate was issued; or

(2) Carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.

(b) No person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate
outside of an area assigned by the Administrator until it is shown that—

(1) The aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and
throughout all the maneuvers to be executed; and

(2) The aircraft has no hazardous operating characteristics or design
features.

(c) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator in special operating
limitations, no person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental
certificate over a densely populated area or in a congested airway. The
Administrator may issue special operating limitations for particular
aircraft to permit takeoffs and landings to be conducted over a densely
populated area or in a congested airway, in accordance with terms and
conditions specified in the authorization in the interest of safety in air
commerce.

(d) Each person operating an aircraft that has an experimental certificate
shall—

(1) Advise each person carried of the experimental nature of the aircraft;

(2) Operate under VFR, day only, unless otherwise specifically authorized by
the Administrator; and

(3) Notify the control tower of the experimental nature of the aircraft when
operating the aircraft into or out of airports with operating control
towers.

(e) The Administrator may prescribe additional limitations that the
Administrator considers necessary, including limitations on the persons that
may be carried in the aircraft.