As a commercial pilot, you decide to start a small business flying non-stop tours to look at Christmas lights during the holiday season. What authorizations, if any, are required to conduct Christmas light tours?
No authorizations or approvals are required if you hold the appropriate category and class rating for the aircraft that will be flown.
You must apply for and receive a Letter of Authorization from a Flight Standards District Office.✓ Correct Answer
You must apply to the FAA to receive an exemption to carry passengers at night within a 50 mile radius of your departure airport.
Explanation
Nonstop commercial air tours that begin and end at the same airport within 25 statute miles are excepted from Part 119 only if conducted under a Letter of Authorization issued under 14 CFR 91.147, obtained from the local Flight Standards District Office (119.1(e)(2)). A commercial certificate and the right rating are not enough on their own, and there is no exemption process for night passenger tours within 50 miles.
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