Cheapest and fastest way to build flying hours

[d4wg4ss]

As we all know for students that are trying to get their CPL, all students want a cheap yet reliable place to build their flying hours. I have done a bit of research and can see that the United States and Canada are pretty cheap, and some of my friends that have done their hours with EASA in Florida advice me to go there but apparently the school had their license suspended in April.

I am currently doing a Diploma in Aviation in Australia and the flying hours here are horrendously expensive, Cheapest is $AUD280 all the way to $AUD380 an hour.

I was wondering on some solid advice on where would be a good place to go to for building my hours, Without of course incurring such a expensive cost. All advice would be much appreciated. Cheers.

[Bearcat F8F]

There are cheap-ish place in eastern Europe. Or you could buy a share in an aircraft then spend peanuts on maintenance/ hangerage for the month and the fuel costs only. then just sell the share when you're done. Obviously finding the right share in the right aircraft in an acceptable location is a challenge but it's certainly the cheapest way of doing it rather than going to a school.

[G280]

spend peanuts on maintenance/ hangerage for the month and the fuel costs only. then just sell the share when you're done

Agreed, buying a share can be cost effective. Be very wary of "spending peanuts on maintenance/hangerage" though. You can't reliably predict maintenance costs or foresee large bills.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Buy a cheap aeroplane that has just been serviced and has a very low fuel burn, fly somewhere a long way away, turn around and go home sell it.

[TriBeCa]

Genghis,
Brilliant, just brilliant. And actually, quite correct.

May not increase your flying skills/airmanship much, but hey, if all one is concerned about is hours...

[Bearcat F8F]

G280, when I say 'peanuts' I don't actually mean you should service the aircraft on a shoe-string budget. Usually the group will advertise the monthly fee for running the aircraft. It's usually less than £200/ month. And depending on what you fly, fuel bills can be as low as £20 or £30 an hour.

[Duchess_Driver]

Buy a cheap aeroplane that has just been serviced and has a very low fuel burn, fly somewhere a long way away, turn around and go home sell it.

I'm sure Genghis meant to say...

Buy a cheap aeroplane that has just been serviced and has a very low fuel burn, fly somewhere a long way away AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF, turn around and go home sell it.

[119.35]

Shares can be a bitch to re-sell and any self respecting group is going to grill you as to your motive for joining. Depending on the type and make up of the group, short term hour builders aren't always going to be welcomed with open arms!

Finding the right and a receptive group for you isn't necessarily going to be that easy and you are opening yourself up to the risk of a shared cost. Extreme example but the engine goes bang and they dont have enough in their engine fund to cover it. Time for the group to dip into their pockets!

It's worth considering but it's not as easy as you perhaps imagine and may just be easier to negotiate some block time at a discount with a club or even a group. A group with low hour utilisation may be very happy to sell some hours to bolster their coffers.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I'm sure Genghis meant to say...

Buy a cheap aeroplane that has just been serviced and has a very low fuel burn, fly somewhere a long way away AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF, turn around and go home sell it.


I did, but in my fairly considerable experience of long solo trips - the further I get from home, particularly if crossing a few borders and FIR boundaries, the more I'm pushed, and the more I learn. Hence how I phrased my post- a long way away, not just a lot of miles around in circles.