Is a 45 year old student pilot considered 'youth'?

On Saturday, February 23, 2013 12:37:55 PM UTC-5, wrote:
"Small, exclusive and expensive"...I think we are already there. At my local commercial operation, a 3,000 ft tow is $60, one hour in a L23 is $50 and instruction is $50 per hour. If you end up with no lift, you have about a 15-16 minute sled ride. Figure in the minimum charges for the glider rental and the CFIG and you are north of $100 for essentially 15 minutes of flying. That is entertainment to the tune of $400 per hour. I don't know many folks that have that kind of entertainment budget. THAT is one problem hindering the growth and sustainability of this sport.

Commercial operations obviously bring a lot of value to the sport, but that is a one-sided view. I know personally of four clubs in the USA that offer much more affordable soaring. In each case there is significant philanthropy, a few big gifts and many smaller ones, and considerable volunteer contributions of time. It adds up over the years and as a relative newcomer to the sport I have been the beneficiary. (Thanks BTW!) All of these clubs have a pretty good (albeit aging) fleet of gliders as well. Three of the airports have subsidized programs for youngsters. These are not exclusive 'yacht clubs'.