Matthew Ringen

Hello friends,

I've been helping a few groups with their experimental aircraft builds.  One has recently been completed and the builders have allowed me to fly the aircraft now that testing is complete!  We have agreed that it would be best to reimburse them for the cost of operating the aircraft when I fly and, at first glance, an hourly rate seems simplest. So…

1. What is the best way to legally reimburse them for this cost? Is this “renting”? “Dry-leasing"? Is this considered a commercial operation because of the money changing hands and therefore subject to 100 hour inspections and other commercial requirements (see below)?
2. To be covered under their insurance, the underwriters are requiring me to have a set number of hours in the make and model.  How can I offset these costs when a builder-pilot/owner is on board?  Paying 100% of the rate would be more than pro-rata, right?  I'd hate for it to cost them anything for me to be able to fly the aircraft solo!  One of the builder pilots is an instructor, is this the better direction?

Thanks in advance for your advice.  I'm re-entering the GA world and figured there is someone out there that is far more capable in these areas than myself. Cheers

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Hello friends,

I've been helping a few groups with their experimental aircraft builds.  One has recently been completed and the builders have allowed me to fly the aircraft now that testing is complete!  We have agreed that it would be best to reimburse them for the cost of operating the aircraft when I fly and, at first glance, an hourly rate seems simplest. So…

1. What is the best way to legally reimburse them for this cost? Is this “renting”? “Dry-leasing"? Is this ...