looking for some extra cash.

The FAA doesn't care about a student washing airplanes to get flight time; they care about the PPL who tries to fly people around for $$.
 
Don't look too far into the whole "receiving flight time for washing airplanes" thing. I've done a good bit of research over different types of scenarios for private pilots trying to build time and it pretty much boils down to say "there is no such thing as legal, free flight time". Just don't advertise it. Almost like "don't ask, don't tell".

The free .6 hours I logged while ferrying the rental 172 back from the paint shop due to me pushing it too far back in the hangar and tearing up the rudder is considered compensation since I did the FBO a favor by bringing it back, and I didn't pay to rent the plane. Therefore I was compensated by logging that free flight time. Whatever. :bandit:

But yeah man, if you can get a job at the FBO as a line guy, or just washing airplanes out there, it is a great opportunity to start networking and get your name known around the airport.
 
One suggestion I have however is instead of earning one hour's worth of flying, using it, and working another week or 2 to fly another hour. Work your butt off and save for all 7 hours of flying. That way you can keep it continuous and you'll forget less. (I know it sounds weird but that would be your best bet) Just my two cents.
 
jaded said:
One suggestion I have however is instead of earning one hour's worth of flying, using it, and working another week or 2 to fly another hour. Work your butt off and save for all 7 hours of flying. That way you can keep it continuous and you'll forget less. (I know it sounds weird but that would be your best bet) Just my two cents.
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I understand where you are coming from. The fact that I washed two planes so far and that I will wash more has earned me enough time to help finish my PPL in one sweep so im really excited.
 
Okie_Pilot said:
"there is no such thing as legal, free flight time". Just don't advertise it. Almost like "don't ask, don't tell".
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True, but his flight time isn't free. The method of payment just happens to be the cleaning of airplanes instead of money.
 
Regarding the question of compensation:

If someone were inclined, they might be able to make an issue out of the perceived compensation. However, the reality is that among the group of FAA inspectors who really love flying (the general aviation inspectors), many of them did similar things. It would be a very rare inspector who would not admire that kind of dedication and hard work. It would be an even rarer inspector who had the time to chase after borderline enforcements when major enforcements are being shoved in his work basket faster than he can process them.
 
This is dumb.

Establish your washing rate at $100/hr hobbs.

Rent the plane at $100/hr hobbs.

Done.
 
Houston said:
Regarding the question of compensation:

If someone were inclined, they might be able to make an issue out of the perceived compensation. However, the reality is that among the group of FAA inspectors who really love flying (the general aviation inspectors), many of them did similar things. It would be a very rare inspector who would not admire that kind of dedication and hard work. It would be an even rarer inspector who had the time to chase after borderline enforcements when major enforcements are being shoved in his work basket faster than he can process them.
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Guys, I don't understand why there is any question about this at all?

He is not being compensated for performing pilot duties. Therefore there is no way that the FAA will care how he paid for his flight time. The regulations are only concerned with pilots receiving compensation for flying an aircraft. Washing an airplane is not flying an aircraft, thus he is not being compensated for performing flying duties. The FAA does not care in the least how he pays for flight training, they only care about pilots that get paid to fly airplanes. He is not being paid (with flight time) for flying airplanes, he is getting paid to wash them.

Let me say it again: He is not being compensated for performing pilot duties. The FAA won't care because it is not even remotely contrary to any FAA regs.

:pirate:
 
SteveC said:
Guys, I don't understand why there is any question about this at all?

He is not being compensated for performing pilot duties. Therefore there is no way that the FAA will care how he paid for his flight time. The regulations are only concerned with pilots receiving compensation for flying an aircraft. Washing an airplane is not flying an aircraft, thus he is not being compensated for performing flying duties. The FAA does not care in the least how he pays for flight training, they only care about pilots that get paid to fly airplanes. He is not being paid (with flight time) for flying airplanes, he is getting paid to wash them.

Let me say it again: He is not being compensated for performing pilot duties. The FAA won't care because it is not even remotely contrary to any FAA regs.

:pirate:
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:yeahthat:

This is the weirdest debate I've seen in a while.
 
I'll throw in my thought process here due to the fact that it was a learning experience for me, even though I've been flying for some time now and this will probably make me look like an idiot.

I was under the impression that a pilot who receives any free flight time by doing (insert job, duty, whatever) was considered by the FAA to be compensatory in nature and therefore not legal unless said pilot holds a commercial certificate. After stepping back and looking at what I thought I understood of the reg, I now understand it's the time one would be paid performing pilots duties that the FAA frowns upon unless the pilot holds a commercial certificate.

Apparently I'm not the only one with this mis-understanding so therefore this thread is a good teaching tool.

I think the following is appropriate here:

:tmyk:
 
The whole thread is pretty lost. He is not a ppl, and not logging or acting as pic, as he said.

Even if he was getting the flight and cfi time for free with no work in exchange, the FAA couldn't care less.

Because he is working to earn that flight time, as Stevec said, it's not free time. I sure wouldn't wash a plane for free, would you? If you had to guess how many pilots have washed, fueled, parked or swept for fbo's to pay for flight time... It would be supprising.
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
The whole thread is pretty lost. He is not a ppl, and not logging or acting as pic, as he said.

Even if he was getting the flight and cfi time for free with no work in exchange, the FAA couldn't care less.

Because he is working to earn that flight time, as Stevec said, it's not free time. I sure wouldn't wash a plane for free, would you? If you had to guess how many pilots have washed, fueled, parked or swept for fbo's to pay for flight time... It would be supprising.
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I am glad you and SteveC and Stomp16 are on the same page. And you are darn right, I am not washing planes for free, but for flight credit which helps me out alot. Thanks for clearing this up.
 
I know all im doing is opening up another can of worms here, but i cant resist.

From a lineman's point of view who has no interest in flying, how is performing line duties in exchange for free flight time any different than performing pilot duties for free flight time? Aside from the fact the the FAA prohibits the latter.
 
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"Students need cash. Do you know any Texas college students or those who want to earn some money? Act now for some quick $$. Go to www.helmforgovernor.com and sign up...it will be the easiest cash you ever made while being a party of history. 28 days left. Spread the word."


http://www.helmforgovernor.com
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
The whole thread is pretty lost. He is not a ppl, and not logging or acting as pic, as he said.

Even if he was getting the flight and cfi time for free with no work in exchange, the FAA couldn't care less.

Because he is working to earn that flight time, as Stevec said, it's not free time. I sure wouldn't wash a plane for free, would you? If you had to guess how many pilots have washed, fueled, parked or swept for fbo's to pay for flight time... It would be supprising.
Click to expand...

I don't see how working at the airport to earn money for flight time is any different than working at any other job to earn money for flight time.
 
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