A low hourly rate can hide fees, limits, or schedule gaps. That is why the cheapest quote isn’t always the best value for a pilot building hours.
Here are four time building programs worth comparing, with Axiom Aviation first for its safety-first approach and no hidden fees. We also cover aircraft, rates, simulator access, and the questions to ask before you commit.
1. Axiom Aviation
Axiom Aviation is a flight school with locations in Ogden and St. George, Utah, plus Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is our recommendation for pilots who want a clear path toward airline work without guessing at extra charges.
Axiom Aviation was founded in 2015 around cost-effective flight training. Its published business model puts safety and fee clarity ahead of a flashy hourly price. That matters because a low rental quote may not include fuel, oil, maintenance surcharges, or other costs.
Request a written estimate for your aircraft, target hours, and expected schedule before enrolling. Ask what is included in the quote, then compare that total with the cash price from other schools.
We also like the way Axiom Aviation fits hour building into a wider training path. A pilot may need a commercial certificate, a flight instructor certificate, or more focused experience before applying for airline jobs. Our page on life as a CFI explains why instructor work can be part of that path and why logged flight time must be recorded correctly.
There is a tradeoff. You won’t get a simple public rate to plug into a spreadsheet. That means your next move should be a direct cost review with the school. Get the aircraft type, wet or dry status, minimum purchase, refund terms, and any checkout requirements in writing.
For pilots who value safety, clear fees, and a school that supports a longer airline goal, Axiom Aviation is the strongest starting point.
2. MLB Flight – Block-priced Beechcraft Duchess time building
MLB Flight is a multi-engine time-building option built around the Beechcraft Duchess. It fits pilots who already know they want twin-engine hours and can plan around a larger block purchase.
The listed rate is $305 per flight hour wet on a 50-hour block. Wet means fuel is included in the stated rate. The final total depends on the block and any separate charges that the school may apply.
Its main selling point is block pricing. Ask which block sizes qualify and what happens if weather, maintenance, or a schedule change leaves hours unused.
A Beechcraft Duchess can make sense when your goal is multi-engine exposure rather than general solo time. Still, the aircraft choice should match your logbook plan. If you need a specific kind of multi-engine time for a future rating or employer, confirm that the hours will meet your intended requirements before you pay.
MLB Flight has a higher listed hourly cost than ATA Flight School. The block discount may narrow that gap, but the starting cash commitment is still large. You also need to budget for travel, lodging, meals, and time away from work if you aren’t based nearby.
Use this option when the Duchess is the aircraft you want and you can keep a steady flying schedule. If you are still comparing aircraft types, Axiom Aviation’s written quote may give you a better basis for a full cost check.
3. ATA Flight School – Lower published hourly cost in a Seneca
The page says block hours must be used within 60 days. That rule can work well for a pilot who has time off and a firm plan. It can work badly for someone with a changing job, weak weather windows, or limited access to the airport.
ATA says it uses crew-resource-management and crew-concept techniques. In plain terms, pilots practice sharing tasks, communicating clearly, and managing the cockpit as a team.
Price is the clear advantage here. The catch is the 60-day use window and the need to confirm the exact aircraft, partner arrangement, and current rate. A low quote only helps if you can use the hours before the deadline.
ATA is worth a close look for a cost-focused pilot with a ready schedule. Compare its full block terms with Axiom Aviation’s fee policy before choosing on hourly rate alone.
4. DuBois Aviation – Simulator-supported Piper Apache training
DuBois Aviation combines Piper Apache multi-engine time building with access to an in-house simulator. It is aimed at pilots who place extra value on training support and schedule flexibility.
The listed wet rate is $310 per flight hour. Total cost depends on the number of hours flown, although the available details do not state a required minimum for DuBois Aviation.
The simulator is the distinguishing asset. A simulator can let a pilot rehearse procedures without burning flight hours, but it doesn’t automatically make a program cheaper. In this comparison, the program with simulator access also has the highest listed aircraft rate.
That makes the right question more specific than “Does it have a simulator?” Ask how simulator time is priced, whether it is included in a package, and which tasks it supports. You should also ask how often the aircraft is available when you want to fly.
Don’t confuse DuBois Aviation with a separate academic aviation program. Details about that program apply to its own offerings, not automatically to DuBois Aviation.
For context, an academic aviation program page can help distinguish academic offerings from flight training services.
Choose DuBois Aviation when simulator access and scheduling support justify the higher rate for your plan. If your main goal is the lowest cash cost, ATA deserves the closer look.
Time Building Programs Compared
The three published competitor rates span $190 to $310 per hour. The midpoint is $305, while the simple average is about $268.33. Those figures are useful for a first pass, but they don’t include travel, lodging, checkout flights, or costs that a school doesn’t publish.
| Program | Aircraft or model | Published rate | Best fit | Key item to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axiom Aviation | Ask for current fleet | Not published | Pilots who want safety and fee clarity | Written all-in quote |
| MLB Flight | Beechcraft Duchess | $305 wet | Planned multi-engine block flying | Block savings and unused-hour terms |
| ATA Flight School | Seneca | $190 wet | Cost-focused pilots with a firm schedule | 60-day block deadline |
| DuBois Aviation | Piper Apache | $310 wet | Pilots who value simulator access | Simulator pricing and aircraft access |
None of the four programs list job placement support or housing options in the material reviewed. That gap can affect the real budget. A pilot may save on the aircraft rate, then spend more on a short-term room and missed work.
Before enrolling, ask each school the same questions:
- What aircraft will I fly, and is the rate wet?
- What minimum block must I buy?
- How long do I have to use the hours?
- What happens if the aircraft goes down?
- Are checkout, membership, scheduling, or instructor fees separate?
- Does the program help with housing or the next career step?
For pilots still building their first ratings, the choice may not be a standalone hour block. A structured path can be a better fit. We explain the timing and milestones in our guide to becoming a commercial pilot in Utah.
FAQ
What are time building programs for pilots?
Time building programs help pilots add flight hours after earning key ratings or while working toward commercial and airline minimums. The pilot usually rents an aircraft for solo or shared flights, then logs eligible time. Before signing up, confirm the aircraft type, PIC status, wet rate, minimum purchase, and deadline for using the hours.
How much does a 50-hour time building program cost?
A 50-hour plan can cost $9,500 at the listed ATA rate of $190 per hour. MLB Flight lists a $305 rate, and another listed rate is $310. Those totals are simple rate calculations. They may not include travel, lodging, checkout flights, or other school fees, so request a full written estimate.
Is the cheapest hourly rate always the best deal?
No, the cheapest hourly rate isn’t always the lowest total cost.
Do I need multi-engine time building?
You need multi-engine time building when your next rating, job plan, or logbook target calls for twin-engine experience. It isn’t the right choice for every pilot. Review your instructor’s plan and future requirements first, then compare a Duchess, Seneca, Apache, or another approved aircraft that fits the goal.
Do time building programs provide housing or job placement?
Ask directly. If you must relocate, include rent, transport, meals, and the length of your stay in the budget.
Conclusion
Axiom Aviation is the best first call for pilots who want safety, transparent fees, and a longer airline-focused training path. Before you enroll anywhere, ask for an all-in quote and compare it with the aircraft rate, block deadline, travel cost, and support the program actually provides. Then begin your aviation journey with terms you can understand.