Hour Building Recommendation

[AlwaysWondering]

Hi all,

I've decided to take the plunge and finally sign up to a CPL/ME-IR course. It's a huge financial/ emotional decision, but I don't think I could take living with the regret of not going for it. I have just renewed my Class 1 medical (an easier process than the initial thankfully!). I've provisionally given notice at my job as I've decided full-time will work much better for me and will start the course just after the New Year.

That said, I have one big issue. I only have just under 30 hours PIC. Well under the 100 required. Can anyone give any good recommendations on where to hour build approx. 70 hours?
I currently live in the UK, but I hold an EASA license and will, obviously, be doing this hour building in the late autumn/ winter. Somewhere with good weather is sort of essential (Spain/ Greece/ the US?). As someone self-funding, cost is also a big consideration. My SEP is valid, but I haven't flown in over a year so this needs to be considered too.

Any recommendations/ advice will be warmly received.

[Iwanttoflybut...]

Have you considered Portugal? Don't have price quotes at hand, but the cost can be close to half when compared to Germany.
If I may ask, how old are you, do you aim to reach the right seat at an airline, and for how long have you been training?
Asking, because I'm seriously considering to take the plunge as well..

[Smithy175]

Panamedia Mallorca

[rudestuff]

Don't do "a CPL/MEIR course". Do a 15 hour IRR/IMC. Then do some IFR hour building. Then do a 10 hour IR course. Then an MEP course, a 5 hour MEIR course and finally a 15 hour SE CPL course. Depending on your hours you'll save a fortune. You might also consider getting a TMG rating. You can count 30 hours towards your CPL.

[AlwaysWondering]

Thanks for some ideas guys.
This site used to be a lot more active with HB information, but that's dried up. Especially as the US is not as price competitive as it used to be.

Any other advice would be warmly welcomed.

@rudestuff - I did actually think about alternative options, but with the market for those with 200 hours being so limited, I thought it was better safe than sorry and to keep with the established route.

[MGJason]

Hi all,

I've decided to take the plunge and finally sign up to a CPL/ME-IR course. It's a huge financial/ emotional decision, but I don't think I could take living with the regret of not going for it. I have just renewed my Class 1 medical (an easier process than the initial thankfully!). I've provisionally given notice at my job as I've decided full-time will work much better for me and will start the course just after the New Year.

That said, I have one big issue. I only have just under 30 hours PIC. Well under the 100 required. Can anyone give any good recommendations on where to hour build approx. 70 hours?
I currently live in the UK, but I hold an EASA license and will, obviously, be doing this hour building in the late autumn/ winter. Somewhere with good weather is sort of essential (Spain/ Greece/ the US?). As someone self-funding, cost is also a big consideration. My SEP is valid, but I haven't flown in over a year so this needs to be considered too.

Any recommendations/ advice will be warmly received.

Where in the UK are you based? I’m in Scotland and also looking at ways to build PIC hours, I currently have around 80 hours total time and need another 90 or so hours if I continue on my modular route.

Other option I’m looking at is to transfer to an integrated course. I currently work away a lot which is making the modular route more difficult with being unable to fly consistently.

I’ve also looked at options in the USA but the price comparison isn’t a huge difference compared to what it used to be when the exchange rate was more favourable.

[selfin]

"... looked at options in the USA but the price comparison isn’t a huge difference ..."

Reasonable prices can be found in South Africa. A Cherokee Warrior at Morningstar Airfield 25 minutes north of Cape Town rents for 2050 ZAR (87 GBP) per hour wet inclusive of taxes.

PlusOne Flyers in SoCal has a C150 for 109 USD/h (88 GBP/h) and about sixty Piper/Cessna singles starting around 125 USD/h (101 GBP/h). High Sierra Pilots at Minden and Carson City have several four seaters for around 150 USD/h. Rocky Mountain Flight School in Denver has a bunch of rentals under 100 USD/h.

Victoria Flying Club in Vancouver Island rents a Cherokee Cruiser and a 172N for 188 CAD/h (113 GBP/h) including fuel and taxes.

[allert]

Would also recommend Plus One Flyers in San Diego. Plenty of well maintained airplanes at great prices.