How to Build Flying Hours After CPL in India (Smart and Legal Ways)
You’ve cleared your CPL, passed your exams, completed your 200 hours, and finally received your licence. But now comes the real challenge—how do you build more flying hours in India without burning a hole in your pocket?
Hour-building is one of the most confusing stages for fresh commercial pilots. You need hours to get hired, but you need money to get those hours, and flying clubs in India are not cheap or easily available.
This guide breaks down smart, realistic, legal, and industry-approved ways to build flying hours after your CPL in India.
Join a Flying Club as a Safety Pilot (Low-Cost Hours)
Safety is often a necessity for owners of private planes who do cross-country flying or long navigation routes for student pilots.
Benefits to you:
- You can log more hours at a much lower cost.
- You gain real and valid flying experience.
- You receive the training on crew coordination and radio work.
Prerequisites:
- CPL Valid
- Medical + RTR
- Great network in local flying clubs
This practice is common and fully legal in India when logged correctly.
Become a Flight Instructor (Most Effective Career Path)
If you are thinking of a long-term career in aviation with regular flying hours, then the best choice is to become a Flight Instructor (FI) because it is indeed the smartest option.
Advantages of FI:
- You can build 600–1000 hours within 12–18 months depending on school activity.
- You are paid to fly
- You possess excellent flying skills
Airlines often prefer candidates with FI experience because they demonstrate strong flying discipline and excellent handling skills.
The minimum qualifications are:
- CPL + IR
- FI course (3–6 months)
- Passing DGCA FI exams and checkride
In busy schools, instructors often build 50–90 hours a month.
Ferry Flights for Flying Schools or Aircraft Owners
Ferry flights are required when a flying school buys a new aircraft, sends one for maintenance, or shifts base.
Why it’s useful:
- You get cross-country hours
- You fly different environments
- You get paid or receive discounted hour-building
These opportunities are rare but very valuable.
Build Hours Abroad (Faster, Cheaper, Convenient)
Many pilots go to the USA, South Africa, or the Philippines to build hours because:
- Flying costs are lower
- Weather is good
- Aircraft availability is higher
The hours are accepted in India for your logbook as long as the school is FAA, SACAA, or CAAP-approved.
Mention that DGCA accepts hours only if logged as PIC/SIC as per aircraft type.
- FAA schools allow solo rentals
- Weather and aircraft availability make hour-building faster
Join a Charter Company as a Co-Pilot (Right-network is key)
Some charter companies hire fresh CPL holders for small aircraft like:
- Cessna 172
- Baron
- King Air
- TBM
- Piper Seneca
You get:
- Real operational flying
- Radio + navigation exposure
- Paid hours or subsidised hours
This is possible mainly when you have:
- Strong networking
- Good references
- Clear communication skills
Time-Building Packages (Legal but Costly)
Flying schools in India and abroad offer hour-building packages where you pay for bulk hours.
Example:
- 50-hour package
- 100-hour package
Why it works:
- You complete hours systematically
- You get structured flying
- You fly in consistent weather and airspace
Not the cheapest, but reliable and DGCA-legal.
Volunteer in Aviation Clubs (Networking = Hours)
Many aviation clubs need pilots to:
- Assist in club flights
- Help in aircraft repositioning
- Help with flight planning
In return, they offer discounted hours or priority flying slots.
This method requires patience and networking but works in real life.
