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Old June 11th 08, 03:34 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
jb92563
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Posts: 137
Default 3,000ft tow = $100?

On Jun 10, 2:10*pm, wrote:
With the price of AV Gas around $5/gal. at my local airport (KTSP) I
am wondering
when a 3,000 t tow will cost $100? *My local FBO charges about $70 for
a 3,000ft.
Are there any FBO's charging $100 for a standard tow?


As previous treasurer of our club we figured that a 3000' tow costs
~14min@14gal/hr= ~$20 but the tow plane costs us about $10,000/yr -
$15,000/yr to own and maintain so we have to factor in those costs as
well.

We just raised our fee for a 3K tow from $45 to $62 to help keep the
club properly funded as we were spending more than we were earning
this year, and one of our major income sources is profit made on
towing fees like most clubs that own their own towplanes.

Its not about the fuel costs, its about funding the club to keep it
afloat.

We keep the tow fees less than local comercial operations however to
remain competative.

If you really want to save money on tows, buy a winch. Some clubs
charge $5/tow for winch since upkeep of the winch is typically much
less than a tow plane.

Ray