On May 29, 1:50*pm, Steve Freeman wrote:
Our club noticed a significant drop in the number of tows in 2011. It was a bit over 25% less than the average of the previous three years with no corresponding decrease in the number of members. The reduction was especially apparent in the 1K tows. I am curious if other clubs (100+ members) noticed the same drop or if it is local to our club. Please let me know how your data compares and the number of members you have. Thanks

In the three year interval from 2009 to 2011, the number of active
tugs increased from ~175 to ~ 210. That was a mystery but,
apparently, the additional tugs are being used to tow privately owned
single seat gliders.

I know of several clubs who emphasize private ownership and cross
country to the exclusion of flight training. They objected to
training since it made for longer launch queues. ("Get those damn
students out of the way" was the refrain.) Training generates a large
number of tows but a club with 10 private ships will generate just 10
tows a day.

If this theory is correct, it is a sad situation.