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You can offer to wash planes – the going rate in the [[United States]] is around $50, or ask to come along for the next trip. Be prepared with a bucket and sponge, and feel comfortable asking where the spigot and hose are. At really small airports, planes which get flown a lot look like it – dirt streaks, flat grass around the hangar.
Your best bet is to try for lifts from public airfields, particularly early on weekend mornings. On larger or international airports you can try the executive terminal (also called the commercial desk). However because most pilots who'll be flying longer distances (e.g. 500+ miles) have done their planning beforehand (and already have all the necessary charts, [[weather]] information, etc), they may not stop by the pilots' lounge (or another public place) before heading to their hangar. This may decrease the spontaneity possible in catching a ride: a note on the airport's cork-board, or at the message-board of a small cafe frequented by pilots may give you better results.
Often pilots looking to up their air-miles (for increased certification, etc) will make routine weekly flights to cities several hours off by car. ''Be sure to ask if they're planning on landing!'' Students taking their last flight (called a ''cross country'') before obtaining their license may also be willing to take passengers who can split/help with fuel costs – though technically speaking, this is illegal, it can happen under an “I won't say anything if you won't” agreement. Notices on busy flight school message boards are a good way to make connections for this.
You might have more luck [[hitchhiking a boat]].
[[Category:Transportation]]
[[de:Flugzeug]]
