Regulations and Government
NATA Sees Safety Concerns with Lee Flight-sharing Bill
NATA questioned the ability of the FAA to conduct oversight of a "personal operator."
(Photo: Heather Trautvetter)
(Photo: Heather Trautvetter)

Sen. Mike Lee’s (R-Utah) push to remove barriers to flight sharing and create a new “personal operator” category that does not need to meet air carrier requirements is continuing to draw fire from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), which has been concerned about the safety implications. Lee has introduced two bills that would facilitate Internet-based flight-sharing programs, similar to the one that had been proposed by FlyteNow, and would create a personal operator category enabling a pilot to transport up to eight passengers for compensation without meeting air carrier requirements.