Flying on Business

Much of general aviation activity in piston-powered airplanes is for recreation-the proverbial $100 hamburger ($1000?) on nice sunny weekends. Still, there are many general aviation pilots who fly-using the technical phrase-for the furtherance of business. Were not talking banner tows, flight instruction, skydiving, or true commercial endeavors. Furtherance of business denotes those operations that are only incidental to that business or employment. (14 CFR 61.113)

dboyd

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

General aviation flights for business introduce distinct risks due to rigid schedules, increased fatigue, and "goal seduction," which can compel even highly experienced pilots to take greater risks.
Despite involving proficient pilots, business-related flights have a disproportionately higher fatal accident rate (33%) compared to general aviation overall (15%), often caused by pilot error in IMC, disregard for regulations, and unacknowledged fatigue.
To enhance safety, pilots should maintain instrument proficiency beyond minimums, proactively manage fatigue, understand the limitations of advanced cockpit technology for weather, and actively resist "get-there-itis" and over-confidence.

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Much of general aviation activity in piston-powered airplanes is for recreation—the proverbial $100 hamburger ($1000?) on nice sunny weekends. Still, there are many general aviation pilots who fly—using the technical phrase—”for the furtherance of business.” We’re not talking banner tows, flight instruction, skydiving, or true commercial endeavors. “Furtherance of business” denotes those operations that are only “incidental to that business or employment.” (14 CFR 61.113)

A typical example is using your bird to travel to a business meeting. According to the 2016 annual general aviation survey conducted by the FAA, one in five piston-powered aircraft flights are for such a mission.