Thanks
IO540 for your response. It seems the road to group membership has its pitfalls (Buyer beware and all that). As to insurance: Are we talking here cover for the aircraft, third party liability as well as life cover?. Having an aversion to all insurance companies (and being single) I wouldn't dream of taking out life cover for myself (unless it's compulsory).
Could a PPL student and syndicate/group member actually take off with just another PPL aviator or would it have to be a qualified FI? And how would "hour building" come into the picture?