Aircraft Hire UK

Compare wet hire, dry hire and instructor rates across 26 UK flying schools. Typical wet hire is £200/hr, dry hire £223/hr, with rates from £100/hr.

Typical hire rates by aircraft

Median rates across UK flying schools.

Aircraft typeMedian wetMedian drySchoolsCompare
Piper PA-28£210/hr£251/hr9View schools →
Cessna 150/152£183/hr–6View schools →
Cessna 172£215/hr–5View schools →

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26 schools, cheapest wet rate first

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Piper PA-28 (10)Cessna 150/152 (7)Cessna 172 (6)
East of England (10)South West England (4)Midlands (3)Yorkshire & the Humber (3)

Plane hire questions

How much does it cost to hire a plane in the UK?
The median wet hire rate across 26 UK flying schools is £200 per hour, with the cheapest listed rate at £100 per hour. Rates vary by aircraft type and region.
What is the difference between wet hire and dry hire?
Wet hire includes fuel in the hourly rate. Dry hire is cheaper per hour, with fuel billed separately at the club's price or self-fuelled. Dry suits longer legs flown efficiently; on short local flights wet is the safer bet.
Does the hourly rate include the instructor?
Normally not. Aircraft hire and instructor fees are priced separately, and landing fees at the destination airfield are extra. Each school page lists its instructor rate alongside the aircraft rates.
Do I need a licence to hire a plane?
Yes. To hire as pilot in command you need a valid licence and a check flight with an instructor at the school. Without a licence you can book a trial lesson, where the instructor is in command.

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