Why A PBF Is Different from Your Last Cross-Country
It’s one thing to load up family and friends who have flown with you before and launch for the beach, but it’s quite another to board strangers with no knowledge of personal aircraft, what’s about to happen or the additional risk present compared to a flight on scheduled airliner. Some tips:
Your Additional responsibilities
This may be closer to a Part 135 charter flight than anyone cares to admit. Although the passengers aren’t paying anything, their involvement likely is limited to showing up at the appropriate time and place. Don’t let them down.
Straight And Level, Please
The absolute last thing you want to do is show off for your PBF passengers. They don’t care you can maintain altitude in a 60-degree bank, and we don’t either. What you should be worried about is providing the smoothest, most drama-free flight they’ve ever experienced. They probably deserve it.
Aeromedical considerations
Passengers you’ll be flying may be traveling to receive medical attention at a distant facility and not be capable of things you take for granted, like climbing into a low-wing airplane without assistance. They also may have issues with cabin temperature or altitude. You, your airplane and its equipment need to be able to accommodate their needs without fail.
