"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
F.L. Whiteley wrote:
Is there really much good news in this?

Only for the people that want to get out of the sport and sell their
glider. For the rest of us, it makes it harder for new people to get
their own glider because old and new are more expensive, it raises our
insurance costs because we have to insure the hull for more, and the
factories sell fewer gliders. The instrument makers sell fewer varios
and flight computers, too. Not many winners when prices go up.

Agreed. But if/when we regain parity so that prices appear reasonable,
interest rates may well be high enough to offset any difference, if
financing is needed. If the dollar is allowed to dwindle, it might serve as
some inspiration to compete. However, it sounds as if the export market
would be tough as the Euros are rumbling about duties and protectionism. So
we'll end up like the French, producing for our own market. Could be good
for the Peregrine effort, if they get their documentation done. Maybe it
could some serious interest in alternatives.

Last time it got out of whack, the Germans came over and bought up
several
of the used fleet for refinishing. Didn't hurt the new market much in
the
long run, but strained the used market IIRC. Suspect any factory
sponsorship in that effort?

Was it the factories buying them to refinish, or individuals (my
recolletion)?
--
Individuals, but who knows if they were sponsored or not. Were I in major
glider production I'd certainly consider the short and long term economic
factors of such a strategy. However, I suspect they were likely just
entrepaneurial ventures rather than cartels.

Frank