A good many years ago I did a careful analysis of hours flown against
launch costs in the UK. It came ouit that the lowest lauch cost per hour
flown was found at the most expensive all aerotow sites because the soared
more often. Haven't repeated it recently but I'd be surprised if it's
changed.

At 13:58 22 November 2012, kirk.stant wrote:
On Thursday, November 22, 2012 2:31:23 PM UTC+1, Karen wrote:
Get with the program USA. The Germans have been doing it since the
1930's.
=
The little UK still does more flights than we do per airport. Karen
Henders=
on.

Karen, the US has been doing it since the 1930s, too. And not all German
c=
lubs use a winch - I visited a nice soaring club near Aachen a week ago
(th=
ey were flying everything from a DG-1000 to an open cockpit oldie) that
has=
too short runways to consider a winch - the price of land would never
make=
it economical. We have almost the same problem at our club here in St
Lou=
is - we own a big grass strip, perfect for aerotowing, but at 2700' just
a
=
bit too short for "get away" winching - and we have roads at both ends
prev=
enting extending much more.

It's a nice option, though. Fun, too! If you can do it, go for it!

But a Pawnee is a LOT more fun to drive than a winch...

Kirk
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