So, what are the options? Continue the death spiral we're in or work toward
a solution?

Modern glider trainers are hideously expensive compared to anything that
preceeded them but not so much so when compared to the airplane trainers on
the other side of the airport. A big difference is the training airplanes
get in more revenue hours per day so their capital costs can be spread
across more hours reducing the rental rate.

The solution for gliders is the same. Increase revenue hours by using
winches. This re-jiggers the finances so some of the cash flow that went
to the tug goes to support expensive trainers. This opens the door to
digging out of the hole we're in with decades old, worn out, ugly trainers.

Winches increase flying by reducing student costs yet provides cash for new
trainers.
New trainers and winches attract instructors and new students.
Increased activity pays for the new gliders and the winch.
The beauty is that if done right, there is no net increase in costs.

As many will hasten to point out, this is not a instant 'magic' solution but
is is a path that leads to one. It requires re-thinking of how we do
things. It requires a lot of work. It requires some faith that it will
work out for the better.

This can't be implemented instantly. It's a journey more than a
destination. But the first step is to begin the process by shifting some
training to winch launch. Even this is a process. We have to train
instructors in winch launch. We have to find airfields, we have to buy or
build winches...

If we are going to save this sport, we have a lot of work to do. We're
going to have to re-invent ourselves.

Bill Daniels


wrote in message
...
I think the problem goes all the way back to manufacturers and cost of
soaring as it is not ´paid´sport and FAI. As Bill said lot of
instructors would fly more, if the óffice´ is nicer. But cost of a
desent (good) 2-seater is huge. Not many operation can buy those
(except Gavin . When you take the cost of glider and try to add
instructor´s salary on top of it, the formula is pretty impossible
(except for Gavin . And soaring is not a ´top´ sport which draws new
young students. Can anyone think another sport that the cost of
equipment is as high as in soaring and if you are world number 1,
you'll be paid NADA Hopefully this new GP format will turn the next
page. Finally a good desision from FAI side. Finally...

PS



On 29 joulu, 17:13, "Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:
"fredsez" wrote in message

...

Where are the CFIs?
Without enough good CFIs... the number of new soaring pilots will
decline.
A potential CFI asked me what is the first requirement to become a
CFI? Perhaps I didn't think of the FARs, but my answer was; "You need
a strong desire to teach".

Some CFIs need to build flying time to get an ATP job. Some cannot
afford to fly at all, so they fly as CFIs just to enjoy the life of
flying. Most glider sites are remote from city life, and offer less
attractions to young pilots as a full time job.

Glider sites cannot afford the real estate costs of nearby city life.
Most cannot offer housing that is affordable. A well paid glider CFI
earns more per hour than a comparable SEL instructor is paid, but
where can he live? Where is life?...(females)

Instructor pay is the smallest part of a students cost to learn to
fly. Good clubs, for example; TSA south of Fort Worth, seems to have
solved the problem.

The top pay or cost to the student for an instructor runs about $57
per hour. A popular instructor, flying at a good operation may earn
about $32,000 per year. An Auto mechanic at a dealers shop will do
much better.




Where are the instructors? Fred

Fred, I think I know part of the answer.

There are many pilots who hold an instructor certificate and for whom the
pay is not an issue but they don't teach. There are many reasons but one
that comes up a lot is that they absolutely hate the back seat of a 2-33.
I'm no longer willing to risk my back in one.

If there were a more attractive, more comfortable trainer, at least some
of
these instructors would become active.

Bill Daniels