wrote:
Bob Whelan wrote:

wrote:

But below that, in the sub-10K category, there doesn't seem
to be much at all. Is a used 1-26 still the best bet for a pilot whose
plane-budget will not stretch into five figures?

Taking your question at face value (i.e. reading nothing into your
situation, motivation, flying background, performance druthers, etc.),
if patient you'll eventually find other ships than 1-26's sub-$10K.


No need to guess. I left soaring about ten years ago because I didn't
have the funds to match my flying expectations. I had gained my licence
flying club ships, and I was at the point where I could stay up in good
conditions for the 30 and 60 minute slots that were available on them.
But it was clear that to take the next steps into soaring and early
cross-country work, I really needed a glider of my own. Not possible on
a student budget, so I drifted away.

Things are much better now, moneywise, and I am thinking of getting
back into the sport. I expect I could get back my old skills in a few
months flying club ships. But then I would be back where I was before,
needing to get a ship of my own. At the risk of whingeing, the prices
for used modern gliders ($20-30K) aren't daunting longterm, but they
are intimidating up front. I would be much happier paying $8K of so for
a glider I could use for a few years, and then trade up.

I'd suggest one or two well considered partners. Double or triple your
buying power, while cutting expenses by (nearly) the same factor. It
will still sit in the trailer most of the time. Three partners works
better if one or more can fly during the week.

Shawn