In response to the comment that G. Kurek wrote:

"I just question the importance of
paying 130K for a glider in era when our sport is dying."

What business is it of anyones how much a person chooses to spend on their
own personal glider..?? Who should care if someone buys a glider that is
twice that of another, with less performance...?? It's really noone elses
business, until such time as the person buying the glider asks us to pitch
in and help offset his cost...and that simply isn't the case.

Also...Who in the hell thinks the sport is dying?? It may be changing, it
might even be losing its general attraction for those people with many
varied interests...but I will say I don't think those things are all bad for
our sport. The pilots who stay involved will be committed to soaring long
term, they will probably be the "core group" of the future of soaring. Some
things are clear. Soaring will never appeal to the masses. It's expensive
and complicated to participate in. It consumes time in copious quantities
and takes time from our families.

But in the end, it is the most wonderful sport I've ever been associated
with, and I think we should accept the fact that we can reach out to help it
grow, but that real growth will take time, as hang glider pilots and
paraglider pilots and all forms of soaring enthusiasts are able to
participate in sailplanes when they choose to do so, for whatever their
reasons...

I believe that no matter how difficult it is to participate, the people that
are drawn to it...will find their way to us...Don't pronounce it's death
just yet, the pulse is there, we just need to let it be seen more and to
make it more appealing for future generations...


Respectfully,


Steve
DG-400
(sierra hotel)