Cost sharing glossary

A

Air Navigation Order 2016 (ANO)

The main UK statutory instrument for aviation (SI 2016/765). Article 13 sets the cost sharing rules for non-Part-21 aircraft.

Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

The certificate an operator needs to fly commercial air transport or public transport. A genuine cost-shared flight does not need one.

AMC and GM

Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material: CAA material that supplements a regulation, such as AMC1 and GM1 to NCO.GEN.102.

Annual cost

The cost of keeping, maintaining and operating an aircraft over a year. Annual costs are not direct costs, so passengers cannot contribute to them.

Authorised person

A police constable or a person authorised by the CAA. You must produce your passenger records to an Authorised Person on request.

C

CAP 1590

The CAA's guidance on cost sharing flights. The second edition (2025) explains the rules in force since 1 October 2025. It is guidance, not law.

Commercial air transport (CAT)

A flight carrying passengers for payment or other valuable consideration. CAT needs an AOC and a commercial licence; cost sharing is an exception to it.

Cost-shared flight

A private flight where passengers contribute only towards the direct costs, under the conditions of NCO.GEN.102 or ANO 2016 article 13.

D

Direct costs

The only costs passengers can share on a UK cost-shared flight: fuel, oil, airfield charges and aircraft rental fees at the current market rate.

I

Introductory flight

A short paid air tour by a training organisation or air sports organisation to attract new trainees or members. It is a separate exception from cost sharing.

L

Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL)

A Part-FCL licence for light aircraft. The LAPL(A) allows up to 3 passengers (4 people on board) in SEP or TMG aeroplanes of 2,000 kg or less.

M

Market rate (aircraft rental)

The average rental price of the same aircraft type in the same area on the date of the flight. It caps the rental element of a cost-shared flight.

Microlight aeroplane

A light non-Part-21 aeroplane defined in ANO 2016 Schedule 1, designed to carry no more than two persons, so a cost-shared flight is pilot plus one.

N

National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL)

A UK national licence. The NPPL(A) allows non-commercial flights, including cost sharing, with no more than four people on board and MTOM up to 2,000 kg.

NCO.GEN.102

The Part-NCO rule, in force since 1 October 2025, setting the nine conditions every cost-shared flight in a Part-21 aircraft must meet.

Non-Part-21 aircraft

Aircraft outside the UK Basic Regulation, such as most permit aircraft and microlights. Cost sharing in them is governed by ANO 2016 article 13.

O

Operator

The person responsible for operating the flight. For a cost-shared flight it must be a private individual, usually the pilot, who keeps the passenger records.

Other-than-complex motor-powered aircraft

Any motor-powered aircraft that is not 'complex' (for example not over 5,700 kg or jet-powered). Cost sharing is limited to these aircraft.

P

Part-21 aircraft

Aircraft regulated under the UK Basic Regulation and its implementing rules. Cost sharing in them is governed by NCO.GEN.102.

Part-NCO

Annex VII of the UK Air Operations Regulation: the operating rules for non-commercial flights in other-than-complex aircraft, including cost-shared flights.

Passenger briefing

The briefing on emergency equipment and procedures the pilot in command must give passengers before or, where appropriate, during every flight.

Passenger record (declaration)

The signed record, made before the flight for each passenger, that they were told the flight does not meet CAT safety standards and accept this.

Pilot in command (PIC)

The pilot responsible for the safety and conduct of the flight. On a cost-shared flight the PIC pays at least an equal share and completes the passenger records.

Private individual

A person acting in a private capacity, not an organisation or company. NCO.GEN.102(d) requires a cost-shared flight to be operated by one.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

A private, non-commercial pilot licence. A PPL holder may fly cost-shared flights within the cost sharing conditions without a commercial licence.

Public transport (PT)

The Air Navigation Order 2016 counterpart of commercial air transport. ANO article 13 lets a cost-shared flight count as non-commercial instead.

R

Recent experience (90-day rule)

To carry passengers you must have made three take-offs, approaches and landings in the same type or class within the preceding 90 days.

U

UK Cost Sharing Charter

A voluntary CAA charter for online flight sharing platforms. The CAA recommends using only platforms that have signed it. It is not a legal requirement.

V

Valuable consideration

Any right, profit, benefit or other advantage of more than a nominal nature given under an agreement, not only money. It can make a flight commercial.