HB
Have a great trip - you seem well planned. To me, taking friends away for weekends to places you can't get to quickly on the ground/ sea is one of the joys of having a PPL. I've been flying for a while now, but still get a little apprehensive before the flight - I might worry if I didn't
Shamow Very fair question. If I could add to FD, I have rented from many places and have always paid by the actual flying time (or hobbs [electrics on] or tacho [engine on] time). I have found the best places to rent, for day/ overnight trips away are
usually not clubs, but individuals who have a/c for hire. If I did enough hours a year, then I would join a group but I don't.
I have found most places want a min of 2 flying hours per day and solo rates in a 4 seater are between £70-£110 wet. So if you are considering costs, think about this: 3 people in a 4 seater for 2 hour flight out on Sat am, back Sun pm will easily get you to most Northern French airfields from Southern England and cost around £120 each if you share the costs. Not too bad? If you can find one that will truly carry 4 (balancing passenger load & fuel load is often an issue) then it goes down to around £90 each.