cheap places to Time Build?
 

I'm a 2 year CFI and only have around 850TT. Due to the slowdown of student inflow, with the pace I'm flying now, I'll have to be a CFI for another 1.5-2 years before hitting ATP mins which is not a viable option. So I'm thinking of biting the bullet (and my savings) and buying a few hundred hours to at least propel myself closer to finishing my hours by the end of the year.

Any recommendations for places (anywhere in the US, but preferably east coast) where I can rent planes for cheap? Bonus if they have lots of time builders to share costs with.

Airplane operating costs don't vary too much, but in high-cost metro areas there's always a premium for anything and everything. So you're probably looking for smaller or mid-size towns.

Also since you know you need a block of time, you can probably find someone who will rent you a plane for a large block at a significant discount. That's better for the owner and plane than having a parade of random cats flying his plane on training missions. If you're doing mostly XC, even better... that's a lot easier on the plane than primary or CPL training.

It's not the east coast, but last I checked you could rent a 152 for $85/hr wet in Juneau, WI.

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Buy a plane with a partner or buy into a group owned plane. Cheapest way to do it. You can offer dual instruction to other plane owners to even cut costs further. You will meet other people in GA that need planes moved, BFRs, IPCs, or just someone to fly with as a safety pilot.

Get your hours. Sell your stake in the plane to the next guy in your position

Or there are a few people in Vegas to split with and there is a 162 that runs 95 an hour wet- so 47.50 an hour each

The cheapest place to time build is at your desk. Buy a good pen.

Experience is never cheap.

After I made this thread, I did find a place down in Miami that rents out a Cherokee for $55/hr wet to time builders. Probably going to seriously look at that as an option once the winter rolls around.

I like that.

I know it's not going to be cheap. It actually seems a bit insane to me to drop another $10-15k on this, because, that's why i did my CFI and II. But at this point, I figure if I just spend this money and get the rest of my hours over with, getting to an airline sooner, getting a real paycheck, benefits, and a seniority number now is worth it, rather than flying a measly 30 hours a month for the next 2 years, and surviving off my GI Bill.

I believe you may have misunderstood.

Throwing money at "time building" to shortcut your way to the front of the line foregoes experience.

Experience isn't something you buy. It's something you get. Something you do. It takes time, and simply buying hours and droning around on your own is not the same. if you want to do that, time build, save yourself the effort, falsify your logbooks by penning it in and go to the airlines with the same level of "experience" you'd have buying it: none.

Or go get experience. It's not cheap. Cheap doesn't refer to the cost in dollars. It refers to experience earned. Earned is not the same as bought, and experience isn't cheap.

Seniority > experience

What John is saying is factual and important, but isn’t everything. We can all list a half dozen experiences where one class date made a huge difference. You likely have 500 dual given which is a lot more of a start than others. Do what it takes to get in the front door.

I lived it. For about 7 years. One class date, and I *could* have taken the early one.

yeah I have close to 600 dual given right now. At this point I just don't see the benefit of letting this continue to drag out for years. I'm only flying about 30 hours a month right now just because the virus really slowed down new student enrollments. Unless new students start pouring in the door soon, this is going to drag out close to 2 more years.

Check out Odyssey Pilot Hours. They are in Colorado. They followed my page on Instagram, so I looked into them. Don't know much about them but it seems to be a safety pilot pairing operation. Provides housing, and quick time, if that's what you're looking for.

I'll look them up, thanks

Join a flying club that has reasonable rates. Also, flight instruct at the flying club. wash/wax airplanes for flight time. Do odd jobs at the FBO. work as a lineman for flight time. 4 years as a CFI is about average to get to a regional.

I belonged to a flying club for about a year to build time and get my instrument rating. CFIs were exempt from any monthly/annual dues as long as they were actively instructing and still got the member rates when renting aircraft on their own. Maybe you can find a club like that to help cut costs.

Good luck, we have all been there counting every tenth.

Does anyone have an opinion on the future of the flight schools? I'm new with only 300hrs and no dual given. It seems like it will be impossible for me to get a job as a CFI anywhere.

Just stick it out. Regionals are beginning to hire again which will open up spots at flight schools.

If you are open to travel to where the jobs are located, keep an eye on what is posted on jsfirm.

I'm looking to time build about 100-150hrs. I have access to a Piper 140.
Anyone want to come to Texas?

Pm me

I feel ya 100%. I am in an identical position, albeit a bit better off at a 1,100TT. It's been a tough, long 28 moths. You need to weigh out the opportunity cost of delaying your arrival at the regional, which delays your upgrade to captain, which delays your move to a major. You only have so many years left to be an airline pilot, and every month that goes by are earnings you'll never see.

The most effective way to go about this is to buy an airplane, or go in 50/50. You can easily get the operating cost, including depreciation and insurance, down to $35/hr (assuming 50/50, depending on type). I have looked into in for awhile.

One thing to keep in mind also is that you could continue to teach freelance with your own airplane, that way you can tell your future employer "hey, yeah I bought an airplane, but I was still actively teaching students" and not be lying. Worth consideration.

Best of luck to you, believe me you are not alone. Also, be fortunate you were able to even have a flying job throughout 2020-I certainly was. I know plenty of pilots who had to do non-flying jobs because of the catastrophe. Perspective helps.

PM sent, please check.

May I know the exact location or the name of the club/school?

Unless it’s a friend just charging for fuel that is crazy. At KTMB even self service 100LL is $5.25/gallon.
Wouldn’t touch it with a pole. What do you think about maintenance costs and insurance and tie downs/parking ?
Even a Cherokee 140 should be about $75 dry if the owner is serious about upkeep.
You’re risking your certificate not to mention your life flying a death trap like that.

GPS Flight School

To your point, I did talk to someone very recently who did some time building there. He did say it was really sketchy and discouraged me from doing that. So you're right. I did make friends with someone who owns a plane and I started doing some time building with him to supplement my flight instruction hours.

What about aerial survey work in a 172?

I bought 100 hrs at GPS
 

[QUOTE=Macchi30;3269616]GPS Flight School



To your point, I did talk to someone very recently who did some time building there. He did say it was really sketchy and discouraged me from doing that…

Did you end up finding a place to build time? Are you still interested? I’m down here in Miami finishing up my CFI out of opa locka and am desperately trying to build more time as I’m not even going to use the CFI (noone’s hiring here yet). I did time building with GPS about a year and a half ago. Yes it’s shady. I have stories. But I survived and got the hundred hours. Let me know if you’re still interested.

Thanks,
Nicholas

Thank you, Nicholas! I believe your post.

Making me thinking twice.

I am also craving to log hours. Few more hundreds before reaching ATP requirement. Only interested to have ATP Single Engine only.

Where in miami? Thks


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Just curious, why are you only interested on the ATP-SE?

I have been travelling overseas (Southeast Asia, Asia & etc.), it seems ATP-SE is marketable in terms of employment.

I am just like you.

I would like to contact you but I can't send you private message.

In the right situation, Civil Air Patrol can provide a lot of cheap/free flying. **this option might be annoying, but could be fruitful-- they are short pilots** Another great option is a flight club. Ours often as low time instrument pilots posting that they are looking for someone to go with them. I shy away from these, but if you were really motivated to build time it might work. Also builds a relationship for if they need an instructor.

I am very interested to do time-buiding. 300-500hours. Probably, it is going to take 3-6 months.

However, I need a place to stay. I can't stay in the expensive hotel. Anyone will to accommodate me?

Pocono Mountains Flying Club KMPO
VFR C150 $55/hr wet
IFR C150 $65/hr wet
CFI pay $45/hr cash (need instructors)

Good deal.

I can travel to any part of the States if any partner willing to accommodate me for few months.

this is prob a spirit airlines type scam.

Add 15 bucks if you want it airworthy.

Add another 20 bucks if you want radios…

10 more bucks if you want padding in the seat…

This is airline marketing/sales strategy. If it is hidden costs, then, I would say "scam".

How do regionals like Odyssey & light sport ac?

Seems a bit expensive - I know it includes lodging.

I'm curious too how regionals look at paying for time building vs. being a CFI. I want to get through faster and cannot find a job as a CFI right now.

I've only got about 300 hours right now. Rather than wait 2-3 years teaching, why not just pay for the hours now and get done in 6 months? Any thoughts or advice is appreciated. THanks!

Have you considered moving?
I literally found jobs online in 3 sec on Google.