For your EAA Chapter they need to read part 61.113 paragraph 4 which states that all aircraft used in a charitable event to raise money, and are compensated are required to have a Standard Airworthiness Certificate, or they are not legal to use. Advance approval is also required. As a private pilot you can be totally compensated for assistance given during search and rescue, if you commissioned by the authorities to perform, and you can be compensated for all direct expenses, except salary, ie gas oil etc...
Twice in the regs there is a limit placed on Experimental Certificates that does not allow use for hire. EAA won't pay the fines and won't be violated if an Inspector decides to look closely at this practice of Chapters. It is the responsibility of the PIC to be legal to fly in ALL respects. At Wings and Things in Lakeland last year, the pilots donated their time, and the airport gave discounts on the fuel, but the pilots paid their own fuel cost, not EAA. This event was partially sponsored by the local FSDO 15 through personnel support of volunteers, and the Young Eagles of a local EAA Chapter. Also be aware that local FSDOs may interpret the regs differently, and so you could call 2 different ones and get 2 different interpretations on the same reg, as well as what I think Larry Flesner brought up once which was a question answered with a question of how you interpret it, and either confirmation that you are correct or not. Your plane may be every bit as safe if not safer than a certified aircraft, and we all know it. But, it does NOT carry a Standard Airworthiness and so is treated VERY differently by the FAA. BE CAREFUL.... Colin & Bev Rainey KR2(td) N96TA Sanford, FL crain...@cfl.rr.com http://kr-builder.org/Colin/index.html
