Suzie Smith, nurse onboard Sacramento helicopter crash, has died
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-helicopter-crash-highway-50-nurse-died/69006779
https://redd.it/1o43kfq
@r_aviation
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-helicopter-crash-highway-50-nurse-died/69006779
https://redd.it/1o43kfq
@r_aviation
Reddit
From the aviation community on Reddit: Suzie Smith, nurse onboard Sacramento helicopter crash, has died
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The History and Importance of Holding Out
What is “Holding Out” and Why Does it Matter?
I’ve been discussing commercial operations a lot lately and have often said that “holding out” gets too much focus. My own emphasis tends to be on operational control, but holding out deserves its own straightforward post. It’s not that it’s unimportant; understanding it is definitely valuable. I just find that many commercial pilots focus on it too heavily. So here’s a brief, informative look at where the concept comes from and why it still matters. Understanding the “why” behind it is key.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
The Origin of “Holding Out”
The concept of holding out goes back centuries. It’s a common law term that has shaped everything from marriage to commerce. In the 16th and 17th centuries, ferry operators were often franchised by the Crown. These operators were granted monopolies and had to pay a tax to run their services for the public.
The ferries themselves were simple, often just rafts built by landowners to cross rivers, at a time when bridges were expensive and impractical.
If a landowner used the raft privately, no tax applied.
But if they began transporting the public for profit, the Crown imposed a tax.
That’s when “holding out” became important.
What It Looked Like in Practice
Imagine a landowner sitting beside his raft. If he used it to cross himself, his family, or his workers, that was private use – no toll charged. But if he parked it on the bank with the ramp down and someone passing by asked for a ride, and he agreed to carry them for a fee, the Crown considered that a public operation.
Even without a posted sign, he was “holding himself out” as available to the public. The key point: you didn’t need a billboard; visibility or reputation alone was enough.
Small aside: The legal idea of “holding out” is essentially representing yourself as having authority you don’t actually have. A modern example is when people on social media use the tag NAL (Not A Lawyer). Without that disclaimer, they could arguably be seen as holding themselves out as a lawyer.
Modern Application in Aviation
The FAA adopted this old common law principle and applied it to aircraft operations. Just like with ferries, you don’t need an ad or a website. If people know you’re available to provide transportation – especially when you bundle pilot + aircraft – that’s holding out.
That bundling point matters. Back in the 1600s, if you were just a ferry pilot charging an operator for your skill, you weren’t holding out. The operator controlled the transportation service, and they bore the tax or penalties. The same logic applies today: who has operational control is central.
It’s not about how flashy your outreach is – it’s about whether you’ve made yourself known as available to the public for hire.
Why It Still Matters
I hope this helps give a firmer understanding of holding out by showing its history and purpose. I know it helps me personally when I understand the ‘why’ behind things.
https://redd.it/1o42dwz
@r_aviation
What is “Holding Out” and Why Does it Matter?
I’ve been discussing commercial operations a lot lately and have often said that “holding out” gets too much focus. My own emphasis tends to be on operational control, but holding out deserves its own straightforward post. It’s not that it’s unimportant; understanding it is definitely valuable. I just find that many commercial pilots focus on it too heavily. So here’s a brief, informative look at where the concept comes from and why it still matters. Understanding the “why” behind it is key.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
The Origin of “Holding Out”
The concept of holding out goes back centuries. It’s a common law term that has shaped everything from marriage to commerce. In the 16th and 17th centuries, ferry operators were often franchised by the Crown. These operators were granted monopolies and had to pay a tax to run their services for the public.
The ferries themselves were simple, often just rafts built by landowners to cross rivers, at a time when bridges were expensive and impractical.
If a landowner used the raft privately, no tax applied.
But if they began transporting the public for profit, the Crown imposed a tax.
That’s when “holding out” became important.
What It Looked Like in Practice
Imagine a landowner sitting beside his raft. If he used it to cross himself, his family, or his workers, that was private use – no toll charged. But if he parked it on the bank with the ramp down and someone passing by asked for a ride, and he agreed to carry them for a fee, the Crown considered that a public operation.
Even without a posted sign, he was “holding himself out” as available to the public. The key point: you didn’t need a billboard; visibility or reputation alone was enough.
Small aside: The legal idea of “holding out” is essentially representing yourself as having authority you don’t actually have. A modern example is when people on social media use the tag NAL (Not A Lawyer). Without that disclaimer, they could arguably be seen as holding themselves out as a lawyer.
Modern Application in Aviation
The FAA adopted this old common law principle and applied it to aircraft operations. Just like with ferries, you don’t need an ad or a website. If people know you’re available to provide transportation – especially when you bundle pilot + aircraft – that’s holding out.
That bundling point matters. Back in the 1600s, if you were just a ferry pilot charging an operator for your skill, you weren’t holding out. The operator controlled the transportation service, and they bore the tax or penalties. The same logic applies today: who has operational control is central.
It’s not about how flashy your outreach is – it’s about whether you’ve made yourself known as available to the public for hire.
Why It Still Matters
I hope this helps give a firmer understanding of holding out by showing its history and purpose. I know it helps me personally when I understand the ‘why’ behind things.
https://redd.it/1o42dwz
@r_aviation
Finally got my class 3 medical :)
I’m proud to say that at 55 my dream of following in father’s footsteps as a pilot are one major step closer to being achieved.
It’s been a very long 3+ years of working on my medical. Being completely honest with my AME about taking anxiety meds started me down an expensive and long road. Finally after spending a lot on an FAA psychiatrist and their two day long tests, passing with flying colors and then being denied due to an on again off again medication that was approved only a week later, I finally got it.
I’m so happy to report that I can rejoin my local flying club and start again towards my solo and beyond.
Thank you to everyone here and their inspiring stories. More to come!
https://redd.it/1o43ojv
@r_aviation
I’m proud to say that at 55 my dream of following in father’s footsteps as a pilot are one major step closer to being achieved.
It’s been a very long 3+ years of working on my medical. Being completely honest with my AME about taking anxiety meds started me down an expensive and long road. Finally after spending a lot on an FAA psychiatrist and their two day long tests, passing with flying colors and then being denied due to an on again off again medication that was approved only a week later, I finally got it.
I’m so happy to report that I can rejoin my local flying club and start again towards my solo and beyond.
Thank you to everyone here and their inspiring stories. More to come!
https://redd.it/1o43ojv
@r_aviation
Reddit
From the flying community on Reddit
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Why insert airlines?
Million dollar question with most airline interviews. How do I answer this without giving a canned response such as liking the bases they offer or liking their business model?
https://redd.it/1o4ayxg
@r_aviation
Million dollar question with most airline interviews. How do I answer this without giving a canned response such as liking the bases they offer or liking their business model?
https://redd.it/1o4ayxg
@r_aviation
Reddit
From the flying community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the flying community