Aviation glossary

What is Hobbs time?

Hobbs time is engine or airframe running time recorded by a Hobbs meter, commonly used to bill aircraft hire.

A Hobbs meter records elapsed time whenever the engine is running (or the master switch or oil-pressure switch is on). Because it measures real running time, Hobbs time is widely used as the basis for charging aircraft hire.

It differs from tacho time, which scales with engine rpm and is more often used to schedule maintenance.

Capture Hobbs and Tacho on check-in with flyWilco →

Related terms

Tacho timeTacho (tachometer) time is engine time scaled to rpm, typically used for maintenance scheduling rather than billing.Wet & dry rateA wet rate includes fuel in the aircraft hire price; a dry rate excludes fuel, which the hirer pays for separately.

Weather and flying, sorted

flyWilco puts live METAR/TAF, currency and approvals on one booking board built for UK flying schools and clubs. Free to start, no card required.

Live airfield weatherExplore features