Time Building for Airline Pilots
Most regional airlines now hire at 1,500 hours (ATP) or 1,000–1,250 hours (R-ATP). We help commercial pilots close that gap fast — and at a price that doesn't break your airline future.
The Airline Pathway and Why Hours Matter
Every US passenger airline requires an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires 1,500 total flight hours under FAR 61.159. Pilots from a qualifying Part 141 university can qualify for the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) at 1,000 or 1,250 hours.
Between a fresh Commercial certificate (250 hours) and ATP eligibility (1,500 hours), most pilots need to log 1,000+ additional hours. The fastest, cheapest, and safest way to log those hours is structured time building — not waiting around for student lessons as a CFI.
What Airlines Count Toward 1,500
Pilot-in-command (PIC) time in single-engine and multi-engine airplanes. Cross-country PIC time (50+ NM) — minimum 200 hours required. Night time — minimum 100 hours. Instrument time — minimum 75 hours. Multi-engine time — minimum 50 hours.
Every flight at My Flight Time is logged toward these categories. Our pilots routinely complete the full 1,000-hour gap in 6 to 9 months of consistent flying.
Why Time Build Here for an Airline Career
Cost matters. Building 1,000 hours at the US average of $180/hr is $180,000. Building the same hours at our rates ($60–$100/hr single, $160–$200/hr multi) typically costs $80,000–$120,000 — saving $60,000+ that you'll need for your CFI/CFII or for the years before your first airline upgrade.
Quality of hours matters too. Cross-country flights from KFXE to Key West, Naples, Orlando, Jacksonville, and the Bahamas log meaningful PIC cross-country and night time — exactly the categories airlines verify.
Multi-Engine Time for Airline Applications
Multi-engine PIC is one of the most valuable hours on an airline application. Our Piper Seminole and Seneca rates ($160–$200/hr wet) are roughly half of typical US multi-engine rentals, making it realistic to log 50, 100, or even 200 hours of ME PIC before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do I need to fly for a US airline?
1,500 hours for an unrestricted ATP, or 1,000–1,250 hours for an R-ATP from a qualifying Part 141 university. All US Part 121 passenger airlines require an ATP or R-ATP.
Does time building at My Flight Time count toward ATP minimums?
Yes. Every hour flown is logged toward FAR 61.159 ATP requirements — PIC, cross-country, night, instrument, and multi-engine time.
How long does it take to go from 250 to 1,500 hours?
Full-time pilots at My Flight Time typically log the 1,250-hour gap in 9 to 14 months. Combining time building with a CFI position can accelerate this further.
Is multi-engine time required for airlines?
Yes — 50 hours minimum for ATP. Most successful airline applicants present 100+ hours of multi-engine PIC. Our Seminole rates make this realistic.