What is the difference between airtime and flight time?

Airtime is defined specifically as the period the aircraft is in the air from the moment it leaves the ground until it touches down again. This means that it focuses solely on the time the aircraft is flying in the airspace.

In contrast, flight time generally encompasses more than just airtime. It includes the entire duration from when the aircraft begins its taxi to when it comes to a complete stop after landing. This broader definition is significant for flight logging and regulatory purposes, as it accounts for all the operations involved in a flight, including taxiing.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for pilots as they manage their flight logs, adhere to regulations, and assess their flying experiences. The critical difference lies in the specific phases of operation being measured: airtime strictly covers airborne time, while flight time includes both ground and airborne phases of a flight.