Block Time vs. Pay As You Go Aircraft Rental: 2026 Pricing Guide

Every renter eventually asks the same question: should I pay in advance, or pay as I go? The answer changes how much you spend per hour, how your account works day to day, and how much cash you tie up before you ever start the engine.

ActivePILOT offers both, and the 2026 terms below break down exactly how each one works, so you can pick the structure that matches how often you actually fly.

Block Time: Pay Ahead, Fly for Less

Block time aircraft rental means putting money down before you fly, in exchange for a lower hourly rate.

Here is the structure: an initial block payment of $3,000 unlocks $10 off the hourly aircraft rental rate. To keep that discount active, your account needs to stay above a $500 balance, and the discount is applied automatically after each lesson or flight.

If you move into a new phase of training, say from Private Pilot into an Instrument Rating, a new $3,000 block payment keeps the discount going for that phase. Block times are transferable across all fleets of aircraft and all programs currently offered by ActivePILOT, so the money you put down works across your entire training path, not just one aircraft type.

There is also a step further: renters who pay their estimated program cost in full before training begins unlock 5% off the hourly aircraft rate and 10% off the hourly instructor rate. That is the deepest discount available, and it makes sense for renters and students who know their training timeline and want to lock in the lowest possible rate from day one.

If you are weighing that option against financing your training instead of paying in full, our financing partners page walks through how programs like Stratus Financial and AOPA Financing can spread that same upfront cost over time.

Pay As You Go: No Commitment, Full Flexibility

Pay as you go is the other side of the coin. There is no advance payment required. You keep a valid card on file, and you are charged after each completed lesson or flight for the instruction and aircraft time you actually used.

This structure fits renters and students who:

• Are not ready to commit a large sum before flying begins
• Fly on an irregular schedule and do not want a balance sitting unused
• Want to try the fleet and our operation before deciding on a longer-term training plan

The tradeoff is straightforward: you skip the discount that comes with a block payment. Pay as you go always runs at the standard hourly rate for the aircraft you book. Compare that standard rate across our fleet on the aircraft rental fleet page before deciding which structure fits your budget.

How to Choose Between the Two

The real question is not which structure is “better.” It is which one matches how often you plan to fly.

If you are flying multiple times a week toward a certificate or rating, block time pays for itself quickly through the discounted rate, and the transferability across programs means that money keeps working as you move through your training. If you are flying occasionally, building hours slowly, or still deciding how committed you are, pay as you go keeps your cash flexible and avoids tying up money in a balance you are not using.

Either way, ActivePILOT accepts cash, check, credit card, debit card, Zelle, and payment through Flight Schedule Pro’s online system, so switching structures as your flying picks up is not a hassle.

Before you commit to either structure, make sure you are actually eligible to rent solo. Our aircraft rental requirements and checkout guide covers exactly what you need first.

Block Time vs. Pay As You Go FAQ

Which is cheaper, block time or pay as you go? Block time carries a lower hourly rate once you have made the initial payment, so it is cheaper per hour for frequent flyers. Pay as you go has no discount but requires no advance commitment, which can be the better fit if you fly occasionally.

What happens to unused block time if I stop training? Remaining balances are eligible for a pro-rated refund issued within 20 business days, minus the original discount credit from the last 5 lessons where a discount was included.

Does block time carry over between ratings? Yes, block times apply to all fleets of aircraft and are transferable to any program currently offered by ActivePILOT. A new $3,000 block payment is needed to continue the discount into each new phase of training.

Can I switch from pay as you go to block time later? Yes. You can start on pay as you go and move to a block payment once you know your flying frequency.

Is there a referral benefit either way? Yes. Bring a friend who is also interested in training, and both accounts can receive a $180 flight training credit after the referral unlocks the Aircraft Rate Discount or completes 3 flight training lessons.

What payment methods are accepted? Cash, check, credit card, debit card, Zelle, and Flight Schedule Pro’s online payment system.

Ready to Set Up Your Rental Account?

Whether block time or pay as you go fits your 2026 flying plan, the next step is the same: get your renter account set up. Request more information and our Van Nuys team will help you choose the right structure and get you flying.