"Marc Ramsey" wrote in message
. com...

What are your goals in the next 3 or 4 years, flying around the airport,
cross-country, contests? Where do you live? How much would you like to
spend? Do you know anyone that might be willing to partner with you in
the purchase of a used ship?

Marc

Marc,

I live in East Texas, so far East I could toss a rock into Arkansas from my
office window. Assuming my office had a window. I anticipate flying around
the airport here until I get bored. There seems to be only one glider
operation nearby. If the clouds are right, and myself and my bird are up to
the challenge, I'll probably want to try some short XC. Honestly, I don't
aspire to entering the Nationals or trying to break any world records.

As to cost, I don't want to spend more than fifty thousand and my wife
doesn't want me to spend more than fifty. Dollars. Seriously, I simply want
to fulfill two old dreams... building (or restoring) a glider with my
father, and to get my ticket - glider. I might even move on to airplanes in
that I can pretend the expense serves a more useful 'purpose' than mere
recreation.

The BG-12 seems to have a pretty decent L/D for a wooden homebuilt. Very
light wing loading would doubtless make for poor penetration, but like I
said, no contests are planned. Assuming this one is built OK, it claims a
considerably better L/D and payload than either the Duster or Woodstock and
it can be purchased for less that the cost of materials to build either of
those. Plus, it's built.

And, no, I don't think I'll find a partner for a real glider. Everyone
around here that I talk to about flying a plane without an engine seems to
think I've lost whatever remained of my mind.

Sigh.

Curt