Hour Build
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Join Date: Apr 2008
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Hour Build
I’m now at that point as are many other wannabes, where I intend increasing the hour bank – There is a huge choice of locations as well as flying clubs out there, however, with such a large selection to choose from, I thought it may be interesting to encourage individuals to voice their opinions from their own past experiences. For example, it would be useful to suggest somewhere, but to argue the key points with a descriptive reason why, for example Florida as a result of cost or weather conditions or possibly, Tayflight as a result of an excellent selection of well maintained aircraft or possibly Joe Bloggs Aero Club as a result of being able to book an aircraft with very limited notice and so on. Alternatively, why one should avoided a particular location.
It’s so surprising, just how many place exist that we are unaware of – therefore, let us really vary our opinions to make it interesting….
It’s so surprising, just how many place exist that we are unaware of – therefore, let us really vary our opinions to make it interesting….
Join Date: Jan 1999
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I think that a quick criuse of these forums will find a whole bunch of people who will tell you that they can get you hour building at $40/hour in new aircraft (usualy in Florida).
The fact of the matter is that most of the cheap hour building packages in the USA will supply you with a very old aircraft at a moderate price, the big problem is the "other costs" such as airline tickets, hotels, car hire etc.
The add on costs usualy push the true total cost per log book hour up to around the £72/hour.
Some of the company's in the USA offer a lot to you and then fail to deliver (like the one I booked with for the multi & IR that did not have a twin when I turned up and the outfit down the road who were just as inept).
Eventualy I went to a third company who did a fantastic job with a very good aircraft but charged 30% more.
If you get a good company in the USA there are good deals to be had but if like some of the people I have met you get a bad one the true hourly rate can be as high as £700
The fact of the matter is that most of the cheap hour building packages in the USA will supply you with a very old aircraft at a moderate price, the big problem is the "other costs" such as airline tickets, hotels, car hire etc.
The add on costs usualy push the true total cost per log book hour up to around the £72/hour.
Some of the company's in the USA offer a lot to you and then fail to deliver (like the one I booked with for the multi & IR that did not have a twin when I turned up and the outfit down the road who were just as inept).
Eventualy I went to a third company who did a fantastic job with a very good aircraft but charged 30% more.
If you get a good company in the USA there are good deals to be had but if like some of the people I have met you get a bad one the true hourly rate can be as high as £700
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I did my a good chunk of my hour building in New Jersey. I was lucky as, due to family circumstances, I had free accomodation for the 5 weeks (2+3).
I found a local school who had never really had foreign pilots come over. After lots of e-mails and calls back and forth, I went over and had the time of my life. Located between the NY and Philadelphia zones, it was perfectly placed for some sight-seeing. The flying was epic and managed to see lots and go to many places. Highlights included transiting NY through the Class B along the Hudson at 2,000ft.
The other big bonus that came out of the two trips were the people I met and the friends I made. Real salt of the earth folk with massive experience in all forms of aviation and they took me under their wing. Lovely, lovely people.
I rented a couple of types whilst there - paid about $70ph for a 172 and about $80 for a DA20, and both in great condition.
What I would say to anybody thinking of hour building (or even flying as part of a holiday out there) is to think outside the box. Think about what you'd like to see and where you want to go. The country is so geared up for GA and it was a real pleasure to be there. Hour building is to be enjoyed and the experience you get will help prepare you for the next stage. Don't think of hour building as a chore and a long bimble around the sky simply to get the numbers in the book.
I found a local school who had never really had foreign pilots come over. After lots of e-mails and calls back and forth, I went over and had the time of my life. Located between the NY and Philadelphia zones, it was perfectly placed for some sight-seeing. The flying was epic and managed to see lots and go to many places. Highlights included transiting NY through the Class B along the Hudson at 2,000ft.
The other big bonus that came out of the two trips were the people I met and the friends I made. Real salt of the earth folk with massive experience in all forms of aviation and they took me under their wing. Lovely, lovely people.
I rented a couple of types whilst there - paid about $70ph for a 172 and about $80 for a DA20, and both in great condition.
What I would say to anybody thinking of hour building (or even flying as part of a holiday out there) is to think outside the box. Think about what you'd like to see and where you want to go. The country is so geared up for GA and it was a real pleasure to be there. Hour building is to be enjoyed and the experience you get will help prepare you for the next stage. Don't think of hour building as a chore and a long bimble around the sky simply to get the numbers in the book.
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I'd give a hearty thumbs up for NJ.
Simple and cheap to get to via Newark/JFK and it really is the Garden State.
You've got plenty of good FBO/school type airports to check out hire rates but don't forget the smaller fields. My particular favourite is Aeroflex- Andover. An idyllic setting.
Wikipedia is actually a very good start point for research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._in_New_Jersey
Regards
Rob
Simple and cheap to get to via Newark/JFK and it really is the Garden State.
You've got plenty of good FBO/school type airports to check out hire rates but don't forget the smaller fields. My particular favourite is Aeroflex- Andover. An idyllic setting.
Wikipedia is actually a very good start point for research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._in_New_Jersey
Regards
Rob
