When building solo cross-county time......?

Question

I am a Private Pilot, and am about to start my Instrument training. My question is, when building solo XCountry time, am I able to have a passenger in the plane with me (assuming that I am the sole-manipulator of the controls)? I could swear that I've read about this in the FARs, but I can't seem to find the answer right now. I can't even find the definition of "solo" right now. If you know which FAR discusses this, can you include that in your answer. I'm just trying to determine if I can bring a friend along on an XCountry flight and still be able to log it as solo time (again, assuming that I am the sole-manipulator of the controls at all times).

Answer 1

If you have completed your Private Certificate, then you no longer have to be concerned about solo time.  The issue now is time as Pilot in Command (PIC).  If you are in the left seat and you are the manipulator of the controls, then you are the PIC, and that is what counts toward future ratings.

Even if you have a silver-haired old woman who is a retired Boeing 747-400 Captain sitting in the right seat, if you are in charge of the airplane, then you are the PIC.  She's just a sightseer, and glad of it.

Answer 2

In order to log time as solo, you have to be the only person in the airplane...thus no passengers.  I think the theory is that even if your passenger is a non-pilot, then he/she could still be helping you (pointing out traffic, being navigator, etc).

Answer 3

Solo = solo

That is different from PIC, but for that required solo time you must be the sole occupant of the aircraft.  No question about it.

Answer 4

Just read through pt. 61.65.  In there you'll read that the cross country requirement for an airplane instrument rating is 50 hours cross country pilot in command of which 10 hours must be in airplanes.  There is no stipulation that this time must be solo.  In fact, a lot of that time can be done during your instrument training with an instructor.  Provided you are sole manipulator of the controls and flying an airplane for which you are rated (private SEL flying a 172, warrior, 152, etc.) you can log this time as PIC even when flying with an instructor (keep in mind this is only logging pic which is legitimate the FAA's eyes... but you will not be acting as PIC as the CFI has the final authority over the flight).  But, back to your original question (kindof), you can fly with your friend but only because there is no solo requirement (other than the solo requirements you've already met for your private) for your instrument.  

    Now, the definition of solo time is just that... time when you are the sole person in the aircraft.  Solo time cannot be with anybody else including a non-rated passenger.  That's in the definitions part of the Far/Aim.  If you go on for your commercial there are solo cross country requirements (and if do do plan on going on and getting it, I'd recommend knocking that out while building time for your instrument just to get it done with.  There are no solo cross country requirements for your instrument.