I have flown nearly 50 hours in my glider this year ( a slow year for
me) my shortest flight has been 3 1/2 hours. The longest was close to 6
hours.

Jay, how often do you really use your Cherokee for something useful
(utility) and how often do you usually go fly just because you like to
fly.

For you soaring you just have admit to yourself that you are doing it
just because you like flying.

I fly a $15,000 glider, Insurance = $350/year, Hanger= $600/hr (Partial
hanger), Annual/Maint = $200/year. Tows= $50/flight (5 hr flight =
$10/hr)
at $4/gal gas, my soaring is really inexpensive compared to most power
aircraft.

As already noted there is nothing quite like feeling a thermal pushing
you up and rolling over into 45 degree or steeper banked turn and the
Vario go up to 500-1000 ft/min and the Altimeter winding up like a
clock. Or climbing up to 18,000 feet and crusing over the Idaho
Backcountry like it is your own personal playground. www.soaridaho.com

Brian Case
CFIIG/ASEL