Thank you all
- on the TANSTAAFL principle ("There ain't no such thing as a free lunch - or else the drinks in here would cost half as much") one presumes the clubs or renters simply charge a bit more per logged hour, to account for fuel use/engine wear expenses on the ground and not logged.
It's kinda like, who actually pays credit-card purchase fees - the shop, or you, via slightly higher overall shop prices?
If the OP's new club is double-dipping (charging the going rate per hour for "air time", AND charging it for ground time as well) - I understand some irritation.