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Fly-ins are back

But with a new name and even more fun

August 1, 2022
AOPA is excited to bring pilots together for our revamped aviation fly-ins.
Photography by David Tulis
Photography by David Tulis

Did you know?

Since 2014, AOPA has welcomed more than 100,000 guests to its gatherings around the country.

We are calling them Hangouts to better capture the spirit of these new events. Pack your bags, fill your fuel tanks, and join AOPA in the Pacific Northwest and sunny Southeast as our destinations for flying in and camping out. The fun begins September 9 and 10 at Felts Field in Spokane, Washington, followed by our Hangout November 4 and 5 at Tampa Executive Airport in Tampa, Florida.

These events offer a mix of fun, food, learning, and a chance to renew old friendships and forge new ones. AOPA Hangouts will offer the ultimate experience for pilots and aviation enthusiasts looking for an adventurous escape back to the grassroots fun of GA flying. During these two-day informal events, attendees can pitch a tent, participate in educational seminars, swap stories, and enjoy friendly camaraderie around the campfire. There is a registration fee, so go online to get your tickets early.

aopa.org/hangout

Ask AOPA

Sitting around

Is being a passenger enough

By Craig Brown

Q: When I sit in seat 23B on an airline flight, or ride along in a GA airplane as a passenger, can I log that flight time in my pilot logbook?

A: This is an interesting question, and one that AOPA receives from time to time. As odd as it may seem, yes, you can. But here is the kicker: This is only time as a passenger; this is not flight time and it is not pilot time.

As defined in FAR 1.1, flight time is pilot time that begins when an aircraft moves under its own power for the purpose of flight. And, as defined in FAR 61.1, pilot time is time served as a required pilot flight crewmember, or time receiving training from an instructor or giving training as an instructor.

Perusing any of the Part 61 regulations, all pilot certificates or ratings require a certain minimum number of hours of flight or pilot time. You are certainly not acquiring either while riding as a passenger in a GA airplane or in seat 23B. What all of this means, of course, is that the time is useless when applied toward any FAA certificate or rating.

I would discourage this practice if you are a pilot or a pilot in training, as inevitably, the time will get mixed up with legitimate pilot or flight time that is needed to qualify for flight tests for certificates and ratings, or to show currency. Use a journal, a notebook, or a digital notepad to record these flights if you wish, but try to keep them out of your pilot logbook.

Craig Brown is a senior aviation technical specialist in the AOPA Pilot Information Center. [email protected]


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