Travis Marlatte wrote:

There's flight time and then there's PIC time.

My answer is regarding a very specific question. The question pertains
to experimental aicraft undergoing phase 1 flight test. The FAA dictates
a minimum of 40 hours flight time prior to removal of phase 1
limitations, or in the case of an engine/prop combination that is
already certified for use in a "certified"/non experimental aircraft, 25
hours.

The airplane is not capable of logging PIC time. The pilot may be. But
I've yet to see a plane log it.

Running the engine on the ground for 40 hours may give you 40 hrs hobbs
time but 0 hours flight time. Having the hobbs wired to the master could
also pad the time significantly, without the engine even running.

Someone could sign off the books and nobody would be the wiser.. but
you'd only be cheating yourself, if you took your family/friends up in a
plane that wasn't shaken down properly.