Cross Country the main focus of soaring?

Now I'm a happy member of another club (and a third one also)! Feel
free to move on!

/Janos

I'm was extremely pleased with the first club I joined mainly
perhaps because I spent a lot of time researching what
club to join.

Yes, my main club is 100nm and a 3 hour drive from my house,
but I wanted a low key club with few restrictions, very available gliders,
low cost, and encouraging for X-C.

There was another option closer, but I didn't see a benefit
for me at the time of the higher cost, lower availability,
closer location, nicer aircraft.

I'm fortunate to have three outstanding (each in their own way)
glider clubs and one commercial operator within 100nm.
I chose one because it suited my X-C desires more closely,
and I was able to be part of a wonderful sub-group in that
club.

For those who are having trouble, I hope you've shopped around a bit,
and perhaps accepted the idea that you may need to drive
a bit further away to find an atmosphere that is compatible...
--

------------+
Mark J. Boyd

Mark James Boyd wrote:

There was another option closer, but I didn't see a benefit
for me at the time of the higher cost, lower availability,
closer location, nicer aircraft.

I learned that low cost often means: no parachute, no fuel for tow
plane or winch, no instrument, no trailer, no tow vehicle, no spare
parts etc-etc. When I suggested to increase the membership fees
suddenly became an enemy of the members...
I also visit a commercial operator and it's good to get what you pay
for. Of course they can't provide the same feeling of a self serving
club, but could be a good extension. All sailplanes equipped with good
instruments, new parachute, logger. You can fly high performance
gliders, even Discus2!

/Janos

In article ,
Janos Bauer wrote:
Mark James Boyd wrote:

There was another option closer, but I didn't see a benefit
for me at the time of the higher cost, lower availability,
closer location, nicer aircraft.

I learned that low cost often means: no parachute, no fuel for tow
plane or winch, no instrument, no trailer, no tow vehicle, no spare
parts etc-etc. When I suggested to increase the membership fees
suddenly became an enemy of the members...

Absolutely correct. Higher cost = more stuff. It sounds like your club
is at the low cost/minimal features price point.

I also visit a commercial operator and it's good to get what you pay
for. Of course they can't provide the same feeling of a self serving
club, but could be a good extension. All sailplanes equipped with good
instruments, new parachute, logger. You can fly high performance
gliders, even Discus2!

Yes, this is true here as well. And just like going to the Spa instead
of bathing in my own tub, I occasionally pay a bit more and
enjoy the luxuries.


/Janos


--

------------+
Mark J. Boyd