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Aircraft Hire for PPL Pilots

Hour Building in the Cotswolds

PPL in hand? Great work.

Hour building is the next step for pilots who have their PPL and want to build hours, confidence, and cross-country flight experience.

Hire regularly, arrange exclusive use, or work with the team on a mentored plan for bigger cross-country trips.

Our Piper and Cessna fleet has strong availability, and we can discuss basing options if you need an aircraft closer to you.

Flexible Hour-Building

Two Bases

As a member you can fly from both our Cotswolds and Dorset base with no additional landing fees.

Exclusive use

Book out Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire, or we can can arrange exclusive use at an airfield near you.

Plan cool trips

Our experienced team offer mentorship and trip planning support to help you plan your next adventure.

Cotswold Flight Training - Students - Young Pilots 14-18

Pay As You Fly

Pay-As-You-Fly keeps hour-building flexible around your work and life commitments.

We have a number of aircraft suitable for hour building:

Cessna 152

G-OWOW

Our Cessna 152 is ideal for economical hour building. It’s a widely used, simple and reliable design, perfect for getting started.

PIPER WARRIOR II

G-CLGA & G-BSLK

Our matching Piper Warrior IIs tick all the boxes, a fantastic trainer but also an adventure machine.

Aircraft Cost
Cessna 152 £179 per hour
Piper Warrior £199 per hour

Instructor time, Club membership, exams, Equipment, License and tests are all additional costs. More information on costs is available here

Just like our Self Fly Club members, Cotswold Hour Builders will have a checkout with a CFT instructor. Usually 30-60 minutes depending on experience.

A quick licence & medical check and you’re good to go.

Build experience

You’ve found great value aircraft hire, a supportive flight club and planes you enjoy flying. Now, let’s make it count.

We’ll encourage you to take proper trips – not just circuits, so every flight builds real experience:

  • stronger navigation skills
  • better weather decision-making
  • command confidence for safer, more enjoyable flights

Ready to plan your next adventure?

Get in touch

What our members say

Xavier

Great flying club with friendly staff! Very helping with sorting out self hire for hour building. Would 100% recommend to future modular students.

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Andy

What’s not to like? If you are looking for somewhere to learn to fly or are a seasoned flyer looking for a well run club then look no further than Cotswold Flight Training.

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James

A superb, straightforward, safe place to hour build. Very rare to find such a well oiled operation with lovely staff. Will be back. Thank you

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Danny

Great club house that has recently been refreshed, excellent instructors, clean aircraft & easy to use booking in/out system. Located on a nice airfield that’s actually investing in flying operations. 100% recommend this place

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FAQs

What is hour building?
Hour building refers to accumulating flight time after gaining your pilot licence. Pilots often build hours to increase experience, maintain currency, or meet requirements for advanced licences such as the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
Can I rent an aircraft with a PPL?
Yes. Licensed pilots can rent aircraft from flight schools once they complete a short checkout flight and provide valid licence and medical documentation.
Do I need a checkout flight before renting an aircraft?
Yes. You will have a checkout with a CFT instructor. Usually 30-60 minutes depending on experience. A quick licence & medical check and you’re good to go.
How much does aircraft hire cost in the UK?
Your bespoke consultation helps us to understand fully your requirements. The number of hours you’d like to fly, preferred time frame, time of year, and aircraft type all play a part.

Our most economical hour building option, available for exclusive use, is our Piper Cherokee 140, available from £160/hr wet - fuel, oil, home landings, VAT, and insurance is all included.

Our 152 and Piper Warrior 160s are also available, subject to requirements, for exclusive use. Get in touch to discuss a personal hour building quote.
How many hours do I need for a CPL?
To begin commercial pilot training in the UK, pilots usually require 150 total flight hours, including specific cross-country experience.
Can I take passengers while hour building?
Yes. Once licensed, you can take passengers, provided you meet the required recency rules and operate within licence privileges.
Can I fly to other airfields while hour building?
Yes. Many pilots use hour building to fly cross-country routes and visit different airfields across the UK and to increase their navigation experience.

Your CFT membership includes landing fees for Enstone and Compton airfields, however landing fees will be applicable in other airfields.

Start Building Your Flight Hours

Ready to build your flying experience?

Contact Cotswold Flight Training to arrange aircraft hire or discuss hour building options.

Get in Touch