Originally Posted by ryan1234

Try to find a 61 school that rents the aircraft DRY! I did and I can tell you it saved A LOT of money! No surcharge and you can even learn how to fuel up your own airplane..... XC's run at peak economy... works a lot better.

There are reasonable flight schools out there! One I know of in my area rents a 01' 172sp for $65/hr dry ... and PA34 for $100/hr dry .... solid well maintained aircraft ... instruction is $35/hr, fuel at an airport right up the road is $3.15/gal