Your numbers are good, but I'll add the following:

If the pilot intends to join a club after solo to take advantage of
the cheaper tow and rental rates, then entrance fees and annual dues
apply to both sides of the cost equation. A commercial operater
probably averages closer to $60 per flight (double the tow, 4 times
the rental rates, and instructor), so the flying alone will be at
least $2,700 (assuming 45 flights to solo). That's the first week!
Apples to apples, that 2.7 times more than a club. (You will probably
solo in thirty flights, though, so maybe $1,800.)

That said, if it's in your budget, I'd still follow Jim's advice. Get
the basics from the pros. They are better at it. When it comes to the
art of soaring, there are real advantages to the club.

BTW, if memory serves, our initiation fee is $450 and our annual dues
are $275. Tows are about $15.00 to 2000 agl and most gliders rent for
$10 per hour (2-33, K-8, K-7, Pilatus, 1-36) and our Grob rents for
$20. Instruction is free. Of course there are hidden costs. If you do
anything remotely noteworthy, you'll probably be asked to buy a case
of beer. And, of course, there's the pressure you'll feel to buy a
high performance glider. That's another $40k - $100k.



Average number of flights to solo: 40 (real range is low of 30, high of 100,
mean about 45)
Cost per flight: $25
Total flight expense to solo: $1,000
Entrance Fee: $500
Annual membership fees: $675
Total expense to solo, if solo in 1 year: $2,175
Total expense to solo, if solo in 2 years: $2,850