Re: Cheap flying
there's two very good groups at elstree, neither charge any upfront fees or a monthly fee.
LeisureFlight (PA28's £90/tacho hour and once you do 4 hours in a month you just pay for the fuel for the next 6)
Lion Flying group (C172 + PA38 - £90/£66 respectively)
both have websites so have a look around.
That's pretty much the best that Elstree offers.