Have to agree, have paid some pretty steep hourly rates for aircraft hire only to find INOP stickers over half the kit. £130+ for a PA28, in my books thats not running on a showstring.....its taking the p1ss.
I have now swapped clubs and drive nearly 2 hours instead of the previous 20mins down the road because of this. Although the club facilities are not as nice the aircraft are in a much better state and its an airport instead of a grass strip.
Another reason why flyers are opting for shared ownership I guess!