Aircraft ferry flight questions, answered

How much does it cost to hire a ferry pilot?

Gold Seal Ferry charges a pilot day rate plus the trip's actual expenses. Day rates are $475 for single-engine piston aircraft, $550 for high-performance or complex singles, $625 for tailwheel, STOL and aerobatic aircraft, and $650 for light piston twins.

Fuel, oil, lodging, meals, airport and FBO fees, and the pilot's travel to the aircraft and home are billed at cost with receipts. Every trip gets a written quote before you commit. See pricing for details.

Where are you based, and where do you fly?

We're based at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in Los Angeles, California, at The Flight Academy of California, 7900 Balboa Blvd, Hangar J5, Van Nuys, CA 91406. We fly deliveries to and from Southern California and quote cross-country trips elsewhere in the contiguous United States.

What kinds of aircraft do you ferry?

Single-engine piston aircraft (for example Cessna 150 to 182 and Piper Cherokee and Archer), high-performance and complex singles (Bonanza, Mooney, Cirrus, Piper Arrow), light piston twins (Seneca, Baron, Apache), and our specialty: tailwheel, STOL and aerobatic aircraft such as Kitfox, Maule, Citabria, Decathlon, Just Aircraft Highlander, Zenith and Pitts. Don't see your aircraft? Ask us.

Who will fly my airplane?

One of three flight instructors from The Flight Academy of California: Moe Tarakji (Head of Operations, FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor), Nirvan Raymond (Gold Seal Chief Flight Instructor), or Laurien "Lo" Decibel (Assistant Chief Flight Instructor). Each trip is matched to the pilot with the strongest experience in your make and model, and we send that pilot's qualifications with your quote.

How do I get a ferry quote?

Use the quote form or email flightacademycali@gmail.com. Include the make and model, tail number, where the aircraft is and where it's going, your dates, its airworthiness status, and your insurance situation. We reply with a written quote listing the day rate, expected days, an expense estimate, and the assigned pilot's qualifications.

Does my insurance need to name your pilot?

Your aircraft's insurance has to cover the pilot who flies the trip. Many policies have an open-pilot clause that covers any pilot who meets the policy's hour and rating minimums; if the assigned pilot doesn't meet those minimums, your broker can add them as a named pilot for the trip. This is usually quick, but sometimes takes a few days.

We send the assigned pilot's qualifications with your quote so your broker can confirm coverage, and we don't fly until we have written confirmation.

Can you ferry an aircraft that isn't currently airworthy?

Often, yes. An aircraft that doesn't meet airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight can be moved under an FAA Special Flight Permit (a "ferry permit") under 14 CFR 21.197, for example to fly to a repair shop or to a base where an overdue inspection can be done.

The registered owner applies for the permit; we help you with the paperwork. We don't depart until the permit is in hand and its limitations have been briefed.

What happens if weather delays the trip?

Safety comes first. The pilot in command makes every go/no-go decision, and we won't push weather, darkness, or a mechanical concern to hold a schedule. We keep you updated on any delay and on the new plan.

How delay days are billed is written into your quote before you accept it, so there are no surprises.

Who pays for fuel, hotels, and the pilot's travel home?

The owner. Our price is a pilot day rate, and trip expenses are billed separately at actual cost with receipts. That covers fuel and oil, lodging, meals, airport and FBO fees, and the pilot's airline or ground travel to the aircraft and back home.

Do you need a Part 135 certificate to ferry my airplane?

No. Ferry flights of an owner's aircraft are excluded from Part 119/135 certification under 14 CFR 119.1(e)(3). You keep operational control of your aircraft and we provide the pilot under Part 91. We don't carry passengers or cargo for hire.

How is a day counted?

A billable day is any travel or flight day from the time the pilot leaves home base until they're back. Your quote lists the expected number of days for your route before you commit.

What do you check before accepting the aircraft?

Before we accept a trip we review the logbooks: annual or condition inspection, applicable ADs, ELT and transponder checks, and pitot-static if the trip is IFR. On pickup the pilot does a full acceptance inspection, checks the documents on board, and confirms weight and balance and fuel before departure.