Have thoughts of buying a plane to build hours? Maybe the Best idea in 2023.

If getting flight hours as a pilot is all you want, buying a plane to build hours is not bad.

The question I will answer in this article is whether buying a plane is wise.

Every different pilot has a different perspective. I will help you decide which airplane to buy or rent is best for building hours.

I have further explained in this article the advantages and disadvantages of buying an aircraft to build flying hours.

NOW

Let me start by asking this:

Why do you want to buy a plane?

My question may sound strange because I know you are willing to build flight hours.

So that after building enough flying hours, you can have your first airline job.

That is not all:

Let us dive a little bit deeper.

If you intend to buy an aircraft only to build flight hours, there are many advantages and disadvantages too.

However, if you consider buying an airplane as an investment and intend to rent it out for charter services, that is more beneficial.

Buying an airplane is not expensive. There are many used four-seater single-engine aircraft available in the market.

They are tagged at a very affordable price too.

But the actual cost comes from maintaining that aircraft. You may think buying an airplane and refueling it will save you a lot of money before flying the plane.

And actually, it will save you a lot of money.

But if there are several other costs associated with owning an airplane, that may sometimes cost you more.

Depending on your location and where you park your aircraft, the aircraft maintenance cost will increase.

So if you intend to buy the plane to lower your cost for building flight hours, you must calculate all other expenditures and decide.

Do not simply buy the aircraft and then deal with unnecessary nuisances.

As well as, before you purchase an aircraft, if you think the price of the plane is too reasonable to be accurate, ask a professional to check the plane beforehand.

A person who knows and understands aircraft can determine whether there are problems with the plane.

If there are higher costs that you have to deal with after purchasing a new aircraft, then it is better to buy a plane that has well-maintained and pay a higher price.

This way, you will save a lot more.

Advantages of buying a plane to build hours:

I will begin with the benefits of buying an airplane to make hours.

The most significant advantage of purchasing an aircraft is saving much money in the long run.

You will save a bit more if you find a partner to share the cost of the airplane.

Secondly, buying an aircraft will allow you to schedule your flight anytime, anywhere.

You do not have to wait for anyone else, or you can travel to new airports, go on x country flights to new destinations and stay as long as you want.

You will never be in a hurry to return the airplane.

Thirdly, whoever buys an airplane saves a lot more after paying for the maintenance, parking, fuel, and miscellaneous fees.

Buying an airplane can open doors for extra income if you are smart enough.

YES, you wanted to buy the airplane to gain your flight hours.

However, why not rent out your airplane to interested pilot trainees, and you can be their certified flight instructor?

Well, of course, to do that, you have to wait until you get your flight instructor’s license.

If you are ok with renting out your airplane, you can rent it to people seeking air charter services.

Renting out your plane to a pilot who wants to go from point A to point B quickly is a significant way of making money.

There are several ways to build hours once you own your aircraft, perhaps cheaper than renting airplanes through hour-building packages.

Considering that aircraft maintenance costs in your location are cheap, do not shrink to buy your airplane.

Nevertheless, before you buy the airplane, ask other pilots and talk to professionals about which aircraft to buy and how to determine the condition and airworthiness of a plane.

Do not jump into any quick decision.

Disadvantages of buying a plane to build hours.

There are a few disadvantages to buying a plane to build flight hours as a pilot.

But I want to clarify the consequences you may have to face owning an aircraft.

It is cheap to buy an airplane. However, unlike a car, the maintenance and parking costs will not be inexpensive.

Buying an airplane at a lower price and not considering the condition of the aircraft will cost you a lot more.

Understanding the costs of owning an aircraft before buying one is essential.

Aircraft have many annual costs. The costs may depend on the Civil Aviation Authority registering the aircraft.

These costs are annual but also rely on the aircraft’s hours.

The Civil Aviation Authority also wants to check on the airworthiness of the aircraft.

The aircraft’s emergency location transmitter requires occasional checks, which may cost you some money.

Aircraft requires regular maintenance, which requires a professional. So you have to hire one who can do the maintenance work for you.

Aircraft are for flying in the sky.

Suppose you do not fly the aircraft often because you own the plane and have flexible building hours.

If an airplane is idle for some time, it can have issues with its hydraulics and many other fluids in the aircraft, which will cost you more money.

The parking fee will be higher depending on the airport where you park your airplane.

If you are flying in a busy airport and park the airplane in the hangar of a busy airport, that will cost you more money.

Being equipped with advanced technologies is the norm for busy airports.

Whether you use the equipment available to you or not in the airport, you will have to count higher take-off and landing fees.

Nevertheless, it is your choice whether to buy an airplane or not.

Sometimes renting an airplane may cost you a lot less because the company renting the aircraft for you will process the cost I have mentioned above.

Now that you know all the advantages and disadvantages of buying a plane to build hours as a pilot, you call what you want to do.

Confused about which aircraft can you choose to buy?

I recommend some aircraft you can own to build flying hours.

The planes you can choose to buy for hour building:

Each aircraft is different and has different equipment installed. Always select an aircraft that has to be less maintained.

An aircraft with an instrument panel requires a higher cost of maintenance.

As you want an aircraft for an hour building, my first suggestion is Cessna 172.

Cessna 172 is a perfect aircraft for hour building. Easily maneuverable and with outstanding records.

Pilot students love this aircraft.

Do not buy a fast aircraft because you will log your flight hours, not the distance you cover.

Some of you may choose to buy Cessna 150 or a Cessna 152.

If you plan to rent your airplane for air charter, a six-seater aircraft like Cessna 182 is suitable.

As well as look for various aircraft from Piper.

Piper has some suitable single-engine aircraft for hour building.

If you are willing to build hours in multi-engine, you can buy a Piper Seneca.

Now one last thing I want to mention is:

Building flight hours to apply to an airline without knowledge will not help.

The airline is looking for experienced pilots, meaning they want knowledgeable pilots.

Pilots can face any situation and yet commence a safe flight.

So experience is not enough; you must study hard to become an airline pilot.

It is better to rent an instrument-rated aircraft now and then, although you own your own.

Flying in instrument conditions will sharpen your skill as a pilot and aid you in growing as a better pilot.

RELATED: 5 Airplanes you can buy for your first aircraft and safe flights.