On 4 May 2007 11:34:52 -0700, "Robert M. Gary"
wrote in . com:

On May 4, 10:28 am, Larry Dighera wrote:
Let me see if I've got this right. It's okay to carry sick or injured
passengers without the pilot meeting the drug testing and minimum
hours requirements. But those conducting short sightseeing flights
are no longer able to get a waiver for drug testing, and must now have
500 hours instead of the former 200 hour minimum. So the public at
large is better protected, but the sick and injured are not?

NEW AOPA PUBLICATION OUTLINES RULES FOR SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS

If you conduct sightseeing flights, whether for charity or for profit,
new FAA rules
(http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...26airtour.html)
affect you. AOPA has updated its "Charity Flying Safety Brief
(http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/SB05.pdf)," posted free online,
to reflect those changes. For example, flight schools that give
sightseeing rides under the Part 91 25-mile exception must now apply
for a "Letter of Authorization" from the FAA and show proof that they
have an FAA-approved anti-drug and alcohol program. Private pilots who
conduct sightseeing flights to raise funds for charity now must have a
minimum total flight time of 500 hours, up from 200. However, the rule
changes don't affect all forms of charitable flying. Volunteer private
pilots still may transport a sick or injured person and take a
charitable tax deduction for their expenses, says the Air Care
Alliance (http://www.aircareall.org/news.htm)....ll.html#195117

I assume there was a massive number of accidents on these sightseeing
flights where the pilot was found to be on drugs??

A search he http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp with the keywords
"sightseeing drug" turned up no records.

I assume that, like 135, the drug testing of the pilot is just the
begining. All the A&Ps, IA, the avioincs tech, the FBO manager who
arranges the maintenance, etc must ALL be on drug testing programs.


Perhaps. The new 91.146 regulation is he
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text....1.3.10.2.4.28

Here's what AOPA has to say:

http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/SB05.pdf
Regulatory Changes
Pilots need to be aware of some significant changes to
the regulations governing charity fundraising flights.
Beginning March 15, 2007:
• Private pilots must have at least 500 hours total flight
time in order to participate (the previous minimum
was 200 hours).
• Before takeoff, pilots are required to brief passengers
on seatbelt use, aircraft egress, and (for overwater
flights) ditching procedures and use of life preservers.
• For overwater flights, passengers are required to wear
life preservers (unless the overwater operation is necessary
only for takeoff or landing).
• Limits are placed on the number of events in which
sponsors and pilots may participate (four per calendar
year for charitable or nonprofit causes; one per
calendar year for community events).
• Pilots are no longer required to submit to drug and
alcohol testing (previously, exemptions were handled
on an individual basis).

Although they’ve been incorporated into a new
regulation (FAR 91.146), the remaining requirements
are largely unchanged. Pilots are still limited to
nonstop, day VFR flights conducted within a 25
statute mile radius of the departure airport. For a
detailed guide to the new requirements, visit
www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/charity.html.

FAR Part 135 is he
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text....23.11.11.5.83