Yes, all pilots must hold a Private Pilots Licence and have basic flying skills that meet our required safety and proficiency standards before flying solo. Additionally, pilots should have a basic understanding of flight planning. If a pilot does not meet our required standard, they will be required to fly with a Safety Pilot until we determine they are ready to fly solo. This ensures safety and compliance with our operational procedures. In fact, 75% of our clients choose to fly with a Safety Pilot, as it provides valuable guidance and enhances their hour-building experience. For any questions regarding solo flying requirements or Safety Pilots, feel free to contact us at clifford@hour-building.com. The cost for a Safety Pilot is €30 per hour, which must be covered by the client.

No, we are not a Flight School. We are an Aircraft Rental Company. Pilots who come to us for hour-building or leisure flying must already hold a Private Pilot's License (PPL) and demonstrate proficiency in flying independently. If, upon your arrival, you do not meet the required safety standards during our assessment, we will arrange for either a qualified flight instructor to provide additional training or a safety pilot to accompany you until you are ready to fly safely on your own. Please note that any additional training or safety pilot services will be at the clients expense.

Hour Building packages are designed for pilots who are focused on building flying hours quickly and efficiently. These packages provide the benefit of reserving a plane exclusively for you, allowing you to maximize your flying time. They are ideal for pilots who are dedicated to advancing their flight experience, but we do not recommend them for casual or pleasure flying. If you don’t wish to benefit from the discounted price offered by the packages, you can always choose our pay-as-you-go option, where you simply pay for the hours you use without committing to a package. Please keep in mind that we advise booking only the number of hours you’re confident you can achieve. Any unused hours can be carried forward to your next visit, but they are not refundable. We want to ensure you get the most value out of your package while helping you stay on track with your flying goals.

Yes, absolutely! When we receive an enquiry from you, we automatically send over a copy of the contract for your review. This allows you to carefully look over the terms and ensure you're completely happy with everything before signing and making any payments.

We take our aircraft safety very seriously. We have an on-site maintenance facility at both our hangars in Granada, Spain, and Bordeaux, France. All our aircraft are maintained to the highest standards. If at any time work has to be carried out, our qualified mechanic will always test-fly the aircraft before it is rented out to any client. Please note that scheduled 50 and 100 hour maintenance may occur during your booking.

Planes can be booked and collected at:- France: LFMD Cannes LFCS Saucats Leognan, Bordeaux Spain: LEJE Granada UK: EGSX North Weald

There are no minimum hours for Pleasure Flyers, or Pilots flying by the hour. Pre-purchased Discounted Hour-Building Packages, a minimum of 4 hours per day must be flown.

Yes, we will organise a first flight with a Safety Pilot. This flight will work for you as a familiarisation flight in the area, familiarisation with the AC and the local procedures. For us, it would work to learn that you have the flying standards we are expecting from you.

If you haven’t flown an aircraft in more than 90 days, expect a check-up flight with a Safety Pilot. This time your flight will be shorter since you are already familiar with the local procedures.

Yes. Flying different aircraft types is beneficial for pilots as it broadens their skill set and adaptability, making them more versatile and competent. Exposure to varied aircraft enhances a pilot's understanding of diverse flight dynamics, avionics, and control systems, which improves their problem-solving abilities and overall airmanship. Depending on the ability of the pilot familiarisation flights typically take between 1 to 3 hours @ €208.00 per hour.

Yes of Course! If you feel rusty or you feel you may need help with European Procedures we have safety pilots who can fly with you. Just advise us in advance. We want every pilot to feel safe and confident. Safety pilots are available for €30 per hour and can assist you for as long as needed, whether it's one hour, a week, or the entire period you've reserved the plane. Our Safety Pilots are CPL ME IR pilots who have previously flown with us as hour-builders and are now either FO´s or waiting to join the airlines. 75% of our customers prefer to have a safety pilot.

Yes, we have both EASA and UKCAA Flight Instructors available (with notice).

At our base airfields (LEJE Granada, Spain, or LFCS Saucats, France) the Landing Fees are free. You are responsible for paying fees at other airfields. It is detailed in AiP´s. However most French airfields are free.

When you rent the aircraft "wet," it means it will come fully fuelled. You will also receive a "Fuel Card" for each specific plane. You will be adivsed about collecting fuel at airfields that do not accept our fuel cards when you collect your aircraft. Please note that airport parking and landing fees outside of our bases are your responsibility. We cover oil and scheduled maintenance. You are responsible for the safety of items left in the aircraft and will be asked to sign an inventory list. Any missing items will incur a charge.

We are not responsible for bad weather, but at our Base Sites (LFCS and LEJE), the average flight time is 35 hours per week. Unflown hours due to bad weather are recorded and will be rescheduled for a later time. LFCS, located at sea level, allows flights with a base cloud height of 3000 feet. At LEJE, the months with the worst weather are March and April.

Absolutely! We have a WhatsApp Pilot chat group where you can connect with previous clients, gain tips and insights, and receive guidance on advancing your career and maximizing your hour-building experience. Just WhatsApp Clifford on +34 628 638 040.

In compliance with Spanish consumer protection laws (Ley 7/1998 and Ley 3/2014), this form ensures your rights as a consumer are protected. Please email us requesting a Complaints Form - Complete all required sections to allow us to process your complaint promptly.

Planes can be booked and collected at:- France: LFMD Cannes LFCS Saucats Leognan. Spain: LEJE Granada. United Kingdom: EGSX North Weald

On the first day we meet, we will conduct a check-up flight with you and top up the fuel tanks. We will also provide a ground briefing on local procedures to ensure you feel confident flying our aircraft in the area.

On your last flying day, we will meet you at the airfield, we will discuss the hour you have flown and take the keys from you. Similar to a car-rental company, we will walk around the AC with you to make sure it comes back in the same shape it went out with you.

If you are flying from our base airfields (LEJE Granada, Spain - LFCS Saucats, France) we offer a car and driver available to pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airfield for 30€ per day.* (* Your hotel must be local to our bases.) Alternatively, you can rent a car for your own freedom. We have links on our website under Car Hire.

Depending on your plans, we have local recommendations on our website on the "About Page". However, most of our Hour-Builders go on tour and we recommend that you book as you go using www.Booking-com.

Yes, we recommend renting a car during your stay. Spain offers a wide range of activities, from skiing and beach visits to enjoying fantastic tapas in the beautiful city of Granada, all within an hour of our base. Our base in Bordeaux, France, has numerous vineyards and chateaus to explore as well as a beautiful beach not far away. If you are flying from our base airfields (LEJE in Granada, Spain, or LFCS in Saucats, France), we offer a car and driver service to pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airfield for €30 per day.* (*Your hotel must be local to our bases.) Alternatively, you can rent a car for more flexibility. Click here Car Hire Page.

We can accept credit cards and bank transfers.

As the aircraft is booked solely for your use only - We kindly ask you to pay an initial deposit to secure the booking, and to organize the checkup flight. Deposit to reserve your plane is €500.00 If the rental is for a few hours, you can make a full deposit. Refunds are not given if you do not use your hours but will be held on your account for future visits. If you are flying a large number of hours, we kindly ask you to keep a positive balance, at least 10 hours pre-paid with repayments before you consume the 10 hours. PLEASE NOTE We provide discounted hour packages, payable in advance so that you qualify for the discounted prices. Please only book package-hours if you intend to fully utilise and use the hours booked, if hour-packages are booked and you do not complete the hours no refund will be given on your unused hours. We are happy to carry over the hours for you to return and complete the full package.

Each hour you pay is "flying" hour, meaning from take-off until you land. We wont charge you for taxi times, as it may be a bit unfair for you when you are using airports like Jerez or Sevilla that makes you hold short of the runway until you are clear of the arriving/departing commercial traffic. We trust you keep a record of the flying time that matches those in our-in-flight trackers.

Yes of Course! If you feel rusty or you feel you may need help with European Procedures we have safety pilots who can fly with you. Just advise us in advance. We want every pilot to feel safe and confident. Safety Pilots are €30 per hour and can be booked for as long as you need them, from one hour to all day or for the whole period you have booked the plane. Our Safety Pilots are CPL ME IR pilots who have previously flown with us as hour-builders and are now either FO´s or waiting to join the airlines.