Common instruments on small aircraft

Marty Shapiro wrote:
Inspector's for at least 2 FSDO's that I'm aware of
say otherwise. They were very clear in different Wings
safety seminars that providing air transportation for a
friend is NOT permitted for a private pilot. One even
stated that the FAA added the definition of logging time
as compensation for this exact case, where the
pilot does not charge at all.

If it's your own airplane and you pay 100% of fuel and other
direct costs, logging the time can't possibly be compensation.
You can fly the plane any time you want. Having a friend in the
right seat doesn't make any difference. If I want to build time
for a rating, I can fly solo to places I rather not go to, like
the food at that airport restaurant sucks. Or I can do a favor
for a friend and take him there for free upon request.

The FAA has also ruled that they cannot make an assumption that
logged time is of any value. I have my IR and am too old
(drawing Social Security) for an ATP to be worth anything. How
is my logged time in my plane compensatory?

Fred F.