My own position is like PhilD's: I never ask those foolhardy enough to come flying with me to pay for the privilege of experiencing mind-shattering terror. It's a matter of taste and judgment, I suppose, but it seems to me slightly ungracious to expect, as a matter of course, that one's friends should subsidise either one's hobby or one's professional training. Tiffs might be avoided by accepting contributions if they are offered, but not pressing the point if they are not. Obviously, if keen aviators (studes, PPLs, aspirants, whatever) agree to fly together, then there may be nothing awkward about discussing the costs. I do agree, by the way, that the stance adopted by the friend you refer to in your original post does itself appear somewhat ungracious, at least in his manner of expressing the problem. Anyway, best of luck with your hour building and career aspirations.
Last edited by FNG; 29th January 2003 at 10:02.