A recreational pilot is allowed to do which of the following regarding operating expenses?

A recreational pilot is permitted to share the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, but they must contribute no more than a pro rata share. This means that each passenger can only cover their proportionate share of expenses, such as fuel, oil, and lease expenses. The concept of pro rata sharing ensures that the pilot is not profiting from the flight, which aligns with the regulations governing recreational piloting.

Other choices involve elements that don't comply with the restrictions placed on recreational pilots. For example, being paid for operating expenses or charging passengers for flying them directly implies profit, which recreational pilots are explicitly restricted from doing. Furthermore, flying internationally for compensation escalates the complexity of regulatory compliance and typically is beyond the scope of what recreational pilots are authorized to do. Therefore, the correct response emphasizes the balance of sharing costs among passengers while adhering to regulatory constraints.