&gt; Shouldn&#x27;t it be okay for someone to say &quot;yeah I get that you&#x27;re not the same as a real pilot&quot; and sign off on that risk themselves?<p>I think at least part of the regulations is to limit the incentive for less-qualified pilots to fly <i>at all</i>. If pilots without commercial licenses are allowed to fly as <i>de facto</i> commercial pilots, they will have additional incentive to fly, and do more of it.<p>The risks the FAA manages are not just those to paying customers; aviation imposes external risks, as well.