Most regional airlines require 25 hours of multi-engine time for hiring; the ATP-Multi certificate requires 50 hours. Building multi time is expensive — $160–$340/hr wet nationally — but you can control cost by (1) building only what you need (25–50 hours, not more), (2) renting a Beechcraft Duchess at $160/hr wet instead of a Baron or Seneca at $250+, and (3) splitting flights with another pilot to log PIC on alternate legs. Total realistic cost: $4,000–$13,000 for regional-competitive multi time.
How Much Multi-Engine Time Do Airlines Actually Want?
Regional airline minimums (mid-2026): SkyWest 25 hours multi PIC, Republic 25, Envoy 25, PSA 25, Endeavor 50, GoJet 25, Piedmont 25. Most cadet/pathway programs waive the multi requirement entirely and let you build it during your first months on the job. If you're going through the standard 1,500-hour path, aim for 25 hours multi minimum, 50 if you want the ATP-Multi rating on Day 1.
Why Is Multi So Expensive?
Twin-engine piston aircraft burn 18–24 gallons per hour vs. 8–10 for a Cessna 172, plus insurance costs on twins run 2–3x higher. That drives wet rates to $160–$340/hr nationally. Our Beechcraft Duchess at $160/hr wet is one of the lowest published rates in the US — see our multi-engine time building page for current numbers.
What's the Cheapest Way to Build 25 Hours Multi?
At $160/hr wet in a Duchess: 25 hours = $4,000. If you fly 5-hour legs from KFXE to Naples, Key West, Orlando, and Tampa, you'll cover ground fast. Splitting flights with another multi-time builder logs half the time as PIC per person (only PIC counts for ATP mins) but cuts each pilot's cost to $80/hr. Both pilots get 12–13 hours of multi PIC for ~$2,000.
Should You Build 25 or 50 Hours Multi?
- 25 hours: meets most regional mins, keeps cost at $4,000–$5,000
- 50 hours: qualifies you for ATP-Multi checkride, opens Endeavor and freight jobs, ~$8,000–$10,000
- 100+ hours: unnecessary unless you're targeting a specific 121 carrier that requires it — most don't
Most pilots we time-build with target 25 hours multi and save the difference. If a hiring cycle demands more, you can always add hours in a 2-week block.
What About Multi PIC vs. Multi Dual?
Only PIC time counts toward ATP multi minimums (§61.159). Instructional 'multi dual received' during your Commercial Multi add-on typically doesn't count as PIC unless you're sole manipulator and safety-pilot-rated arrangements are in place. Confirm with your CFI/CFII how each hour is logged before you fly.
What Aircraft Are Best for Cheap Multi Building?
- Beechcraft Duchess (BE-76): counterrotating props, docile handling, $160–$220/hr wet — best value.
- Piper Seminole (PA-44): similar to Duchess, $180–$240/hr wet.
- Piper Twin Comanche (PA-30): fast, efficient, $200–$260/hr but harder to insure as low-time.
- Piper Seneca II/III: cabin-class, $260–$340/hr — good for airline transport style but overkill for time.
- Beechcraft Baron 55/58: sexy, $280–$400/hr — save for after you're hired.
Ready to Build Multi Time?
Our Multi-Engine Time Building Program rents the Beechcraft Duchess at $160/hr wet — bring another pilot to split, and you'll walk out with regional-ready multi PIC for around $2,000 each.