So a private pilot walks in with empty pockets, gives 4-5 hrs of his time for the research experiment, walks out with $20-$35 in his pocket and he lost money?
Any internet accountants out there care to explain that?
There is another case where a Private Pilot may be compensated for flying: towing gliders. Here's the official FAA Legal Interpretation (dated Nov 3 2010):
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...rpretation.pdf
Excerpt:
"Accordingly, 61.113(g) permits a private pilot to act as PIC for
compensation or hire of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered
ultralight vehicle. Nevertheless, although the glider and unpowered
ultralight vehicle being towed and its passengers are not considered
passengers or property for the purposes of 61.113(a), 61.113(a)
does not permit a private pilot to carry passengers or property in the
tow plane for compensation or hire."
And there is yet another case where a Private Pilot may be compensated for flying, in fact, MUST be compensated for flying. That is when carrying a political candidate or representative of a candidate during a campaign. Look it up.