Originally Posted by
Baradium
Therefore, flight instruction is not considered a "commercial operation" and a second class medical is not required.
Now, if the FAA says it's not a "commercial operation" then the question seems to be answered.
No, the FAA did not say this. Read what is printed carefully. AOPA made the connection. AOPA legal has also told me it was OK if I rented a plane, transported someone's clients around in said airplane, and was reimbursed fully + hourly wage - which is totally false.
I would like to see where the FAA has said "flight instruction is not a commercial operation", not AOPA. **Edit - I would like to see where the FAA has said flight instruction time will not count against 121 rest/hours.**
The reason a second class medical isn't required is because the regs say an instructor can instruct without a medical (or a 3rd class, depending on the situation).