SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/comm-private-carriage

Carrying for hire without holding out to the public is called what?

Private carriage: for one or several selected customers, generally long term.

Start playing free

  1. Common carriage
  2. Supplemental carriage
  3. Private carriage ✔

Why: AC 120-12A calls carriage for hire without holding out private carriage. It is generally for one or several selected customers, usually long term. Current Part 119 may still require Part 125 or Part 135 depending on the aircraft and operation.

Huh, didn't know that: Private carriers for hire are sometimes called contract carriers, though AC 120-12A says the term is not legally accurate.

The dad joke
Why did the private carrier stay quiet? It didn't want to be heard holding out.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Private carriage. AC 120-12A calls carriage for hire without holding out private carriage. It is generally for one or several selected customers, usually long term. Current Part 119 may still require Part 125 or Part 135 depending on the aircraft and operation.

  1. FAA AC 120-12A Private Carriage Versus Common Carriage of Persons or Property www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20120-12A.pdf
    Carriage for hire which does not involve "holding out" is private carriage.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. FAA AC 120-12A Private Carriage Versus Common Carriage of Persons or Property www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20120-12A.pdf
    Private carriage for hire is carriage for one or several selected customers
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  3. 14 CFR 119.23 Operators when common carriage is not involved (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/api/renderer/v1/content/enhanced/current/title-14?part=119&section=119.23
    private carriage operations for compensation or hire with any airplane or powered-lift having a passenger-seat configuration of less than 20 seats
    Checked 2026-10-11.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

FlyingAC 120-12A says an operator with how many contracts was held to be a common carrier?FlyingWhat can a commercial pilot do that a private pilot generally cannot?FlyingA new commercial airplane pilot has no instrument rating. Passengers for hire cannot go cross-country beyond how far?

That's stuff everyone should know.