I fly from a busy international airport (EGHI) so I pay top wack for my hour, but then I get to mix with the big boys and my RT benefits, though I have to make several costly orbits.
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4) take off to landing minus orbit time? (being a bit optimistic here!)
There was a flying school at Phoenix International (now that is what you call a busy international airport) who would not charge for the time you were holding/orbiting when returning to base.
Didn't happen too often though, ATC there are pretty hot and would usually fit you in no problem, just bring you in from the side. I once got told I'd have to wait to shoot a practice ILS in a 172, but only twenty minutes or so, Approach controller was bored and begged me to do it. Try that at LHR
or even that class D place, LGW???
Flying school moved off after Sep 11. Anyway, the expensive bit wasn't being in the air, "Taxi to runway 25R, Number 14 for departure".