On Jul 2, 9:41*pm, (Alan) wrote:
In article Bill D writes:

At an airshow glider display I was getting some static from a pilot
whose loud opinion was "real" pilots have throttles - the more the
better. *I just said "$500 to fill your tanks" and he got "real"
quiet.

* However, with a powered aircraft, I can fill the tanks for about $250,
and then head off for about 600 - 700 nautical miles. *When there, another
$250 or so, and I can return home.

* The glider spends some money on the tow to get started, then at the end
of the 600 trip out, is likely looking for some friend of family to tow
the trailer out to get him. *If the route is as direct in the ground
vehicle, he goes 600 * 1.15 miles. *Guessing 16 mpg, he goes through about
43 gal. *of gasoline each way, and at $3.80/gal costs about $328 in fuel
for that return.

* The cost difference may be that the powered aircraft much more frequently
completes the trip to somewhere else (and returns), while most glider flights
are fairly local.

* * * * Alan

I agree with Eric. Using the airplane thought process to analyze
costs just doesn't work with gliders. Airplanes are about miles and
speed which assumes you actually need miles and speed. The problem is
that assumption is often wrong but is nonetheless used to justify
airplane ownership. (Been there, done that.)

Light airplanes can be justified by the need to visit one or more
remote cities not served by airlines in one day then get home to sleep
in your own bed. However, for most owners, those trips are rare.
Most trips can be done by other means which are cheaper, faster or
where speed isn't that important.

It may be true that most glider flights are local but that's by
choice, not necessity. Gliders CAN make long, exciting XC flights but
even that isn't the justification. Pure fun and the challenge of
flight is.

I suggest people be brutally honest with themselves and decide whether
their desire to fly is motivated by a real need for frequent back
country travel or just as a fun activity. If the former, there's no
doubt they need an airplane. If the latter, there are lots of sport
aviation pursuits but soaring should be near the top of their list.