Is Time Building Right for You?
You already have your license. You know the next number that matters is 1,500. And you've probably received three or four "time building in Florida" offers that all sound alike.
This article isn't an ad. It's the conversation we have on WhatsApp with every pilot before they book. We'll tell you who our shared time building program is designed for, who it is not for, how much experience you need, how scheduling works, what it costs, and how to know whether this is your moment.
If you finish reading and decide it isn't for you, that's a win too: we just saved you a trip.
Time Building: What the program actually is
EnvySky is a shared time building program at North Perry Airport (KHWO) in Pembroke Pines, 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and 35 from Miami. You fly a Cessna 172 with another licensed pilot: one flies under the hood (foggles) practicing instrument work while the other acts as safety pilot. Then you swap.
The key: both pilots log PIC during those hours, exactly as FAA regulations allow (14 CFR 61.51). That's why the hourly cost is split, and why you can fly 8 or more hours a day without the budget spiraling.
We operate 15 aircraft at KHWO with in-house maintenance, and we've served 300+ pilots and flown 25,000+ hours. That's the background. Now the important part: whether it fits you.
Who the program is designed for
After hundreds of pilots, the profile that gets the most out of EnvySky looks like this:
1. You're licensed and have a clear hours target. Private or commercial pilot, usually between 150 and 500 hours, who needs to reach 1,500 hours for the ATP (or 1,000 with an R-ATP), or the minimums an airline or a contract back home requires.
2. You want to fly a lot in a short time. Our pilots fly 150 to 250+ hours per month. A 300-hour package takes about 45 days; 500 hours about 75. If your plan is to come to Florida for one, two or three months and leave with a full logbook, this is the format.
3. You want the best cost per hour without cutting corners on safety. You know instructing as a CFI or renting solo are valid paths, but you've done the math and need hours at a price that gets you there sooner.
4. You're an international or Latin American pilot. More than half our community comes from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and beyond. We speak your language and know the FAA license verification process (Form 8060-71), insurance, and housing near the airport.
5. You enjoy flying with someone. You'll spend many hours in the cockpit with another pilot. The pilots who thrive here see their flying partner as a teammate on the same journey, not a stranger.
Who it is NOT for (and we mean it)
You don't have a license yet. Time building is for licensed pilots. If you're starting from zero, your path is a flight school; we recommend our sister company Envysky Flight School, where you can complete PPL, IFR and CPL at the same airport.
You can only fly one weekend a month. The program works through intensity. If your availability is a few scattered hours, traditional hourly rental will serve you better.
You want solo hours only. We offer them ($130-170/hr wet), but if your airline or country requires 100% of your time without a safety pilot, check with us first; we'll tell you honestly which mix makes sense.
You mainly need multi-engine time. Our fleet is Cessna 172s and 150s. Ask our team about multi-engine availability before building your plan around it.
You're looking for someone to guarantee you an airline job. Nobody can promise that, and neither can we. What we can do is help you meet the hours requirement safely and at a fair price.
How much experience do you need?
The minimum:
A current pilot license (FAA, or foreign with the 8060-71 verification in progress or completed).
A current FAA medical certificate.
Comfort operating a Cessna 172 in Class D airspace under the Miami Bravo. If you're coming from another region or another aircraft type, you'll complete a checkout with an instructor before your first program flight.
We don't demand a high minimum of hours: many pilots arrive with 200-250 hours fresh out of their commercial. What we do require is a professional attitude: punctuality, briefings, checklists, and respect for personal minimums.
How scheduling works
This is the most-asked question and where programs differ most:
You get a guaranteed flying partner. You don't have to find one on your own. We pair by experience level, language and dates.
Daily flight blocks. A typical day starts early (KHWO at 7 a.m. is our favorite hour) and can reach 8+ flight hours split between the two of you.
Varied routes. Cross-country across Florida (the Keys, the west coast, Vero Beach), maneuvers and instrument approaches. You build cross-country, night and instrument time that counts toward the ATP.
No weather penalty. If the day doesn't fly, you don't pay. We reschedule.
Your hours never expire. Buy a package and use it at your pace, though we recommend concentrating it.
Real aircraft availability. With 15 aircraft at one airport, you're not competing for a plane.
What does it cost?
Wet rates (fuel included), per hour, per pilot:
Package | Shared | Solo | Estimated duration |
50 hrs | $85/hr | $170/hr | ~7 days |
100 hrs | $80/hr | $160/hr | ~15 days |
300 hrs | $75/hr | $150/hr | ~45 days |
500 hrs | $70/hr | $140/hr | ~75 days |
1,000 hrs | $65/hr | $130/hr | ~150 days |
Reserve your spot with $250. Financing is available through Stratus Financial and WeFlorida Financial, plus housing options near the airport.
For perspective: a pilot arriving with 300 hours who buys a 1,000-hour shared package invests $65,000 and leaves with 1,300 hours in about five months. The same goal renting solo at market rates typically exceeds $150,000 and takes over a year.
Prices subject to change. Confirm the current quote with our team.
How do you know if now is your moment?
Ask yourself four questions:
Are my license and medical ready, or at least is my verification underway? If not, start there; we'll guide you.
Can I commit at least 4 consecutive weeks? That's the threshold where the program truly pays off.
Is my budget (or financing) locked in? Running out of funds mid-package kills momentum.
Is the market asking for hours? In 2026, U.S. airline hiring is rebounding after a slow 2025, and the bottleneck remains the same: pilots with 1,500 hours ready to step in. Having the hours done when your opportunity arrives is the one part that depends on you.
If you answered yes to all four, there isn't much left to think about.
Next step
Complete the intake form at envysky.com/timebuilding or message us on WhatsApp at +1 (305) 205-8653. We'll tell you honestly whether the program fits you and, if not, where to look.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build time with my foreign license? Yes, after FAA verification (Form 8060-71) and issuance of your FAA certificate based on your foreign license. We walk you through it; start early, as it can take several weeks.
Do shared hours count as PIC for both pilots? Yes. Under 14 CFR 61.51(e), the pilot who is sole manipulator of the controls logs PIC, and the safety pilot required by 91.109 may also log PIC for the time acting as such. We show you how to record it correctly in your logbook.
How many hours can I fly per month? Between 150 and 250+, depending on your availability and the weather. Our 300-hour packages are completed in about 45 days.
What happens if the weather is bad? You're not charged for the day. We reschedule, and your hours never expire.
Do I need insurance? We recommend renter's pilot insurance (Skywatch, for example). We'll give you minimum coverage guidance when you enroll.
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