Tow Costs

Paul Lynch wrote:

You have to know the details of the operation before you can comment. Our
club, for example, has exceptionally reasonable rates, unfortunately not
a
lot of lift

Club initiation is $200. Monthly dues are $30. 2-33s are $5 per hour,
1-26
is $7 per hour, L-23 and L-33 are $12 an hour. Here is the incredible
part... Tow rates are
1000 ft. - $11.50
1500 ft. - $13.50
2000 ft. - $15.50
2500 ft. - $17.50
3000 ft. - $19.50

We tow with a Citabria and a Pawnee using autogas. Our "rent" is 3 youth
scholarships per year. We have no employees. Instruction is free. The
"BTIZ" wrote in message
news:NM_3e.3177$ZV5.979@fed1read05...
at those tow rates it would be hard to believe that there are any funds
being set aside.

BT

"Stewart Kissel" wrote in
message ...
Out of curiousity...how much is being saved into the
engine rebuild fund? And how many hours are you forecasting
for the engine? A general maintanence fund as well?






monthly dues cover the fixed expenses, the glider and tow fees cover most
everything else including engine reserves and expected maintenance. The
unexpected maintenance is always worrisome. That and the rising price of
gas caused a recent rate increase. The gas situation may cause another
increase in the not too distant future.

Not much point in using a winch, rarely enough lift to climb away. Our
local conditions do make us pretty good "scratchers." You can check us
out
at www.tidewatersoaring.org Note that the tow rates just went up, hence
the difference from the web site published rates.

Weak lift builds character. It's likely somewhat better than you let on.
2-3kts Saturday maybe? Still early in the season. Appears to be some room
off the end of the runway for some extra winch run (with neighbor
cooperation.)

Past couple of seasons, we've bought 100LL cheaper than mogas (2000gal tank.
so we can't claim back the off-road use of the gas tax). Unfortunately,
there's no STC for the Pawnee D airframe for mogas. We pay a hefty tab in
property taxes (though that's solvable with effort, as you have done). We
don't charge an hourly rate for gliders though. That's included in the
dues.

Frank Whiteley
Colorado Soaring Assn.