Thread: Tow Costs
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  #10  
Old April 3rd 05, 05:02 PM
F.L. Whiteley
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"Slick" wrote in message ...
What is everyone paying for a tow? At our club it's $17 to 2k and $22 to

3k.
We use a 260hp Pawnee and our club has no rental fees, only club dues.


Then I would say your dues may be subsidizing your tows at $2-$3/tow in real
terms, but that depends on your field elevation and business model and
donated work. It's possible you are breaking even or that dues are
structured to do this based on your operating year, size of membership, mix
of private/club gliders, insurance coverage, and any number of other
factors.

The question you need to ask is whether the tow plane is paying its way,
including future repairs and maintenance and replacement, and perhaps
profiting the club. There are different strategies and philosophies for
looking at this. You may arrive a several appropriate answers for 'right'
pricing.

So, the answers may be relatively different, based on the above. FWIW, my
club rate is presently $8US hookup, $0.85US/100ft. That's $16.50US/1000ft,
$25US/2000ft, $33.50US/3000ft. Anything above 9500MSL or aerotow retrieve
is charged by tach hour at $120US/tach hour. On a soarable day locally,
releases are generally 900-1700agl. Winch launches are $8 and usually are
1400-2200agl, depending on winds and length of run used.

Frank