Structured Hour Building
After achieving your PPL(A), progressing toward commercial pilot training requires you to build additional flying hours and experience.
These hours are essential to meet the entry requirements and minimum flight experience needed before undertaking courses such as the CPL and Instrument Rating (IR).
Flying during your structured hour building is usually completed on the Cessna 152 or Piper PA28 and you should aim to have logged the following during this period toward a CPL course;
- Minimum 100 hours flight time as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
- Minimum of 20 hours of cross-country flight time as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
- A 300 nautical mile (540 km) qualifying cross-country flight, including full-stop landings at two aerodromes other than the departure aerodrome
Further, during this period, it is recommended to also obtain a night rating, as well as your complete ATPL Theory examinations.
Hour building can be completed on a pay-as-you-go basis or through discounted block booking packages on selected aircraft types. These packages offer a more cost-effective way to build experience – further details are available from our reception team.
Developing Your Skills
Whether flying locally or further afield, you can bring passengers, visit new destinations, and continue developing your confidence and capability.
At the same time, it’s essential to maintain and refine the core skills developed during your PPL training, ensuring they remain at a consistently high standard in preparation for commercial-level flying.
Key Areas to Focus On
- Heading and altitude control
- Aircraft trimming and speed management
- Dead reckoning, plog, and chart navigation (with moving maps used as a safety backup)
- Diversions and decision-making
- Visual attitude flying
- Landing technique
- Emergency procedures
Make the Most of Your Experience
Use this time to challenge yourself. Fly further afield on navigation exercises, land at new aerodromes, and consider a cross-channel checkout to expand your experience beyond the UK.
Enjoy the process and learn from every flight. The PPL isn’t just a licence to command an aircraft – it’s a licence to continue learning.
Course Prices
See our Commercial Course Pricelist for all latest course costs.