Building flight hours is one of the most important steps for anyone pursuing a career in aviation. Meeting FAA requirements is only the beginning. Most airline and charter companies look for pilots with broad experience, varied flight conditions, and clean, well-documented logbooks.
Kingsky Flight Academy offers structured, real-world opportunities for full-time students and recent graduates to build flight time. These include professional flight instructing roles, charter flying positions, simulator-based training, and cost-effective time-building programs.
Ready to learn how to build flight hours efficiently, reduce costs, and move confidently toward a commercial pilot career? Let’s dive into the details.
FAA Minimums vs Real-World Standards
To earn a private pilot license, the FAA requires 40 hours under Part 61 or 35 hours under Part 141. However, most students log closer to 60 or 75 hours before reaching the skill level required to pass a checkride.
To become a commercial pilot, the FAA requires a minimum of 250 total flight hours for part 61 Commercial Training. Our FAA Approved Part 141 courses can go as low as 120 hours for a Commercial minimum. While this figure is fixed, employers expect more than just logged time. They want to see meaningful experience that proves you are ready for operational flying jobs.
At Kingsky Flight Academy, every program is designed to help pilots transition from student to professional by focusing on useful, employer-ready experience.
Build Flight Time Through Flight Instructing
The most efficient way to build flight time is by becoming a certified flight instructor. Kingsky Flight Academy guarantees a job interview to all graduates who complete their instructor training with us.
Flight instructing is more than just a job. It allows new commercial pilots to build hours, sharpen skills, and stay active in the flight environment. Instructors work with a variety of students, handle multiple training stages, and fly in changing conditions.
This full-time position offers steady opportunities to build flight hours while earning income and working with advanced aircraft. Kingsky also provides support for instructors pursuing additional certifications and endorsements, expanding their qualifications for future career steps.
Paid Time-Building as a Charter Pilot
Charter flying is another effective way to build flight time. At Kingsky, we guide qualified pilots through the licensing process required to work in commercial charter operations.
A charter flying job allows commercial pilots to gain experience on real-world routes, log cross-country time, and interact with aviation professionals across the industry. These flights can be regional, long-range, or special mission flights depending on the client.
Charter flying gives pilots exposure to practical procedures, dynamic airspace systems, and high-level aircraft operations. It also builds logbook depth, helping pilots fly in conditions that matter to future employers.
Additional Time-Building Opportunities
Kingsky Flight Academy offers several additional ways to support flight hour growth:
1. Training Simulators
Kingsky Flight Academy offers a variety of simulator-based training opportunities. This includes ATP‑CTP courses and type rating programs utilizing state-of-the-art simulators with industry-leading partners in a controlled environment.
2. Safety Pilot Flights
Students can log hours as a safety pilot when flying with another student under simulated instrument conditions. Each pilot logs valid time when the aircraft operation requires two pilots. This strategy increases total logged time per session.
3. Shared Aircraft Time
Kingsky Flight Academy supports students and graduates with shared flight time. This allows for real-time coordination on flight planning, weather adaptation, and route design.
Why Quality Flight Hours Matter
Not all flight hours carry the same weight. Building flight hours means gaining operational skill, not just filling a logbook. Airlines and other employers value the following:
- Cross-country navigation
- Instrument flight experience
- Night operations
- Simulated and real emergency procedures
- Multi-engine aircraft time
Kingsky Flight Academy programs help pilots fly in all of these conditions through a structured curriculum. Our location in Central Florida allows consistent year-round operations, minimizing weather delays and maximizing flight availability.
Students are trained to maintain accurate and detailed logbooks, including simulator time, taxi time, and instructor sign-offs. This documentation is critical during job interviews and regulatory reviews.
Flight Schools That Prioritize Career Growth
Not all flight schools offer real opportunities to build time after completing a course. Kingsky Flight Academy supports graduates through multiple career-building paths:
- Guaranteed interview for certified flight instructor roles
- Access to charter pilot career tracks
- Structured simulator training
- Personalized training plans based on pilot goals
We work directly with students and graduates to ensure they have a clear path toward commercial aviation and the support to move forward without delay.
FAQs
What’s the best way to start building flight hours?
Becoming a certified flight instructor is the most cost-effective and consistent way to build hours. Kingsky Flight Academy guarantees a CFI interview for our graduates, offering an immediate pathway to professional flying.
How many flight hours do I need to become a commercial pilot?
The FAA requires 250 hours for part 61 training for a commercial certificate. However, most hiring managers expect applicants to have varied experience across flight categories and scenarios.
Can simulator time count toward my flight hours?
Yes. Simulator hours completed on FAA-approved devices can count toward specific licenses and endorsements. Kingsky Flight Academy’s Redbird simulators meet all FAA standards.
What if I want to fly charter instead of instruct?
Kingsky Flight Academy supports both paths. We offer guidance, training, and certification support for pilots who want to enter charter operations instead of instructing full time.
Can I work full time as a flight instructor?
Yes. Kingsky Flight Academy employs full-time instructors who teach, build hours, and grow their qualifications while being paid for every flight.
Your Flight Hours Start Here
Kingsky Flight Academy is more than a flight school. We offer structured, professional programs that support real time-building, provide full-time opportunities, and connect you with a community of instructors, charter pilots, and aviation mentors.
If you’re ready to start building flight hours, apply to Kingsky Flight Academy’s career-track programs today. We’ll help you become a commercial pilot with confidence, experience, and the hours needed to advance in the industry.