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Utah Senator Calls for a New Class of Pilot

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, pictured at a 2015 event, introduced the Aviation Empowerment Act to create a new class of pilot in relation to cost-sharing flight services. Sen. Mike Lee/Facebook
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Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Mike Lee introduced the Aviation Empowerment Act to enable "Uber-like" cost-sharing air services using aircraft with fewer than eight seats.
  • The Act proposes redefining "common carrier" and "personal operator" to allow pilots to transport passengers for compensation under Part 91, circumventing more stringent air carrier regulations (Part 119/135).
  • This legislation aims to foster innovation, competition, and accessibility in aviation, although practical implementation would require further work even if it becomes law.
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Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) says, “Innovation is key to competition and accessibility.” The Utah senator yesterday introduced new legislation he calls the Aviation Empowerment Act. Should the act become law, Lee says it would create a new class of pilot by tightly defining a few key FAA terms as they relate to a contemporary transportation concept, cost-sharing services. Think Uber-like services using airplanes with fewer than eight seats. Specifically, Lee wants to redefine the phrases “common carrier” and “personal operator.”

Rob Mark

Rob Mark is an award-winning journalist, business jet pilot, flight instructor, and blogger.

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