Cheap Hours
 

Any ideas as to where it is cheapest to log some hours? I know the USA used to be the cheapest, is this the case? If so which school or airfield would you recommend, thanks

One of my friends recently did hours building in South Africa and seemed to enjoy herself. I'll pass on your email if you want to contact her yourself.

Thanks, my email is [email protected]

Why not come here and try the Slovak Republic.. .At the moment I,m flying with a club in Bratislava and they are cheap with no landing fees or you can go to the international airport and pay about 100sk($2) landing fee! The weather may be the only drawback as it's sometimes like England but generally I would say better.. .Feel free to e-mail me and I,ll send you more Info.

You can also go out to the Slovak Republic and build hours in style. I believe they are doing a package 100hrs in a Mig 29 for about £300. The only draw back to the course is that you might get shot down, but what the hell IT's CHEAP!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

I am at the moment setting up a lease deal on a two seat trainer the cost IRO £52/flying hour (not block hour)contact.. [email protected]. .. .If you want to know more.

Here in sunny Andalucia you can rent a C152 for 56 pounds/hr (€91), probably cheaper if you buy a block.. .. .Weather is 350 days a year VFR, accomodation is cheap and you have the plus of the Spanish fantastic night-life!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .If you want, contact me [email protected]. . . . <small>[ 18 March 2002, 20:44: Message edited by: Joaquin ]</small>

Thanks for the replies so far, Spain sounds good - Mig hours could be going to far though!

Australia is similar price to US, Australian dollar is low at the moment (almost 3 to the pound), so that counts in your favour. Costs a bit more to get there, but living in Oz is far cheaper than the US - you're talking $15 a night for a room in a pub, and you won't get that in California.. .. .And they speak English there. Real, honest to goodness English.... .. .WGW

Why Florida?
 

So why does everyone go to Florida to build hours then, when there are all these other places (such as those in the other posts on this thread), which are seemingly just as cheap?

If the costs are similar, I would prefer to go to Cape Town or Prague, over Florida.

:confused:

IH

I'm going to B.C. Canada at the end of August. C-172 (IFR) for 38 GBP per hour in Canada and 41 ish when flown in the US owing to fuel cost differences. The exchange rate is currently 2.2$ per GBP (Tourist rate).

I'm confused. 100 hours in a MIG at 300 pounds? That just couldn't be true. Are we talking 300 pounds/hour? That doesn't seem cheap (though I have no idea what it normally costs to fly a MIG, so what do I know). Is there a website or contact info on this?

I'm paying $81 Cdn/hr wet rate for a C-150 (that's about $60US). Not sure how that compares with other rates out there.

Cheap hours
 

I think that SkyGay was taking the p*ss about the 100 Hrs in a Mig for 300 GBP. If it was only true I would be the first in the que
(without worrying about the risk of getting shot down).I think you can fly in a Mig in Russia but for a lot more than 300 GBP for 1 hour. Sorry to disappoint anybody.

(sigh)...was i born naive, or did the internet do it to me?

I am extremely fortunate and have a good job as a Training Captain on Airbus A319/A320/A321 series.

I have however experienced the frustration of searching for cheap aircraft hire several years ago whilst learning to fly.

I am considering purchasing a light aircraft for the occasional fun flight on my days off. Should I purchase a suitable aircraft, I am considering hiring it out at a rate that would hopefully be attractive to those wishing to do some cheap flying. Obviously the more hours you want, the cheaper the rate. Rates of about £50 pounds per hour seem possible but not guaranteed until I have done a little more homework. I haven't been near a light aircraft in 6 years.

If any wannabees are interested in this scheme, please post here so that I can get a feel for the demand.

The aircraft will be based in central England, IFR eqpt and let at a dry rate.

Joaquin is right. Spain is a good choice. Good weather, cheap accomodation and cheap to get to from the UK.
I am in Mallorca and currently paying 80€ x hr. for C150. This is a 50 hour block price.
Let me know by e-mail if you want any info. and contact details.

Hello,

Try hoffman aviation at venice, Florida

You will have to check out there website but $55 rings a bell for C-152 hourly rental.

Problem is Venice is on west coast (away from big intl aiports such as MCO or MIA) however TPA is not far.

:cool:

Hoffman was where the well know atta (11/9) trained, i'd think twice.

Just my 2 cents

Believe Huffman is owned by a lovely Dutch guy called Rudi Deekers. Before you make your decisions, do a search on here for Ambassador Airways, another Rudi Deekers enterprise.

Saw an advert in a recent edition of a magazine offering structured hours building at what seemed reasonable rates. Number was (07710) 685781 - might be worth a try.

Try Aussie
 

Try Australia - lots of Europeans are.....

Long time to get there but @ 3 x A$ to the pound + cheap lifestyle (except Sydney).

Great Weather & great scenery.

Capt. Touchdown.

Yes please, I’d most certainly be interested (currently half way through the PPL & looking to start hours building sometime in the autumn). Living in Basildon – but OK apart from that – and happy to travel.

There’s no chance of cheap hours in a A320 sim is there? :D

Oz my friend.
 

While it may cost a bit more to get to Australia, I recommend you head to Perth, Western Oz and fly out of Jandakot. Better weather than Florida.

Here are some typical prices you can expect. I have used a quite mean exchange rate of £1=Aus$2.7

C152 $117=£43
C172 $133=£49
Mooney 201 $161=£57

And the best bits:

Seminole $264=£98
Partenavia 'as above'
C310 $388=£144.

MAX:cool:

Hour Building
 

Hi

I just returned from a flying school in Florida from a trip out their.

Originally I went over their to hour build in a PA28 Arrow.

However when I arrived I found problems with that school, instructors, complex aircraft I wanted to use and general professionalism with the school and airfield. For example I met people who trained their for their JAA PPL and I didnt think their training was that great and RT was terrible. Infact I asked the question about circuit calls, i.e downwind etc to an instructor and he told me you only use them if the tower ask you to.

So I decided not to use that school and had a few days off on holiday instead.

I am considering building my hours in new zealand and here in the U.K. At the moment I am looking to find a half decent plane to fly here in West Sussex where I live and am contacting different private groups.

If anyone has a plane they want to let someone fly, let me know. My email address is [email protected] and mobile 07786 390901.

Cheers

Sean