Tips for your Timebuilding

Time-building as a pilot is an exciting and essential phase of your journey, and there are many ways to make the most of it. Here are some practical tips to maximize your experience, improve your skills, and keep you safe in the skies.

1. Choose Interesting Destinations

Rather than simply logging hours, take the opportunity to fly to unique and scenic airports. Exploring different locations can add a sense of adventure to your time-building, exposing you to diverse airfields, landscapes, and flying challenges. Not only does this make the hours more enjoyable, but it also builds your experience with varied approaches, weather, and runway types—valuable preparation for a diverse aviation career.

2. Embrace Night Flying for Experience (and Challenge)

Night flying is inherently more challenging than flying during the day, but it’s also excellent preparation for the future. Night flights often have less traffic, making it a good time to practice navigation and instrument skills. Be aware, though, that night conditions require heightened vigilance, especially around terrain and weather changes. It’s invaluable experience that can help set you apart as a pilot, but it should be approached with respect and caution.

3. Keep an Eye on Fuel Prices and Plan for Alternates

Fuel costs add up quickly, so it’s wise to use apps like Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight to find the best fuel prices along your route. Always have extra fuel in your tanks to ensure you can reach an alternate airport if needed. Fueling infrastructure can sometimes fail—self-service pumps and fuel trucks can unexpectedly go out of service. Having a fuel buffer has saved many pilots from unnecessary stress, and it’s happened to most experienced time-builders at least once.

4. File IFR Flight Plans if You Have an Instrument Rating

If you hold an instrument rating, flying on IFR flight plans is excellent practice. Even on clear days, filing IFR adds structure to your flights, improves your comfort with instrument procedures, and keeps you familiar with ATC communication. It’s ideal preparation for more advanced flying roles and adds a level of safety, especially when weather changes unexpectedly.

5. Pack Enough Food and Water

Long flights and unexpected delays are common during time-building, so bring sufficient food, snacks, and water. Having a supply of energy and hydration ensures you stay focused and feel good throughout your flights, especially on multi-leg journeys or during unexpected waits on the ground.

6. Time-Build with a Buddy

Flying with a partner can make the experience safer, more comfortable, and more efficient. When you split time with a fellow pilot, you can take turns as pilot-in-command (PIC), maximizing your hours while keeping each other alert. Plus, having someone to share insights and troubleshoot with adds a valuable layer of safety and enjoyment.

7. Practice with Controlled and Towered Airports

Don’t shy away from controlled and towered airports. While some pilots avoid these locations to keep things simple, getting accustomed to talking with ATC and operating at larger airports builds confidence and radio skills. This experience will serve you well, whether you’re moving toward commercial aviation or simply becoming a more well-rounded pilot.

8. Invest in an ADS-B Device for Enhanced Safety

If your aircraft doesn’t have built-in ADS-B In/Out capabilities, consider investing in a portable device like a Sentry or Stratus. These devices improve your situational awareness by showing you traffic and weather in real time, which is particularly helpful during time-building flights. Having ADS-B enhances your ability to make informed decisions, especially when visibility or weather takes a turn.

9. Stay Ahead of Weather—Especially at Night

Weather can be unpredictable, especially at night. If it’s raining in the evening, be aware of the possibility of fog, as it may form quickly and catch you off guard. Even when TAFs don’t predict it, fog can develop due to recent rainfall, temperature drops, and calm winds. Always monitor conditions and stay ahead of the Flight to be prepared for sudden changes.

10. Enjoy the Journey

Above all, enjoy your time-building phase. This is a unique period in your aviation career, full of new experiences and skills. Take time to appreciate the freedom, the landscapes, and the adventures you’ll encounter. Many pilots look back fondly on these hours as some of the best in their flying careers.

Time-building can be one of the most enjoyable and transformative periods in your aviation journey. By making the most of each flight, prioritizing safety, and savoring the experience, you’ll build valuable skills, memories, and confidence that will serve you throughout your career.