I've found the best way to keep the cost down and go places is to take mates. I have a few 'die hard' flyer friends who jump at the chance to share costs etc. The other thing to do is find someone else at your club who has maybe just passed their PPL and do some mutual stuff, you fly there they fly back sort of thing. That works well. Find someone you get on with though.....and make sure they know that when you're PIC then you're PIC and same for them when they are in the LH seat.
Edit: As for availability I've never not been able to get my hands on one a/c or another. The first thing I did when I got my PPL was get checked out on everything for that reason. I'm surprised by guys who say 'Oh I only fly the 28 and it's not available.' The others have wings on too.
Last edited by thing; 31st Jan 2012 at 15:24.