Beginner questions about buying a sailplane...

On May 6, 9:32*pm, Chris Reed wrote:
Bob wrote:
Another thing, K-8's sell from 1500€ (2000$). These planes are still
flyable and have pased inspection in the last year as here in Germany
all planes get inspected yearly by the LVB. I checked about shipping
on 2 months ago and was quoted a price of 2000€ from Bremerhaven to
Charleston.

K8s are fun to fly, but very dispiriting if you have any headwind at
all. If you have USD10-20k to spend, and want to do any more than soar
locally around your home airfield, then glass is the only way to go
IMHO. I've had fun flying a K6, in which you can do good XC flying, but
this also becomes too tiring for a new XC pilot - serious XC in a K6 is
for the more experienced pilot.

Chris

I wasn't advocating the K-8 as much as giving it as an alternative to
the 1-26, same performance for less money.

I agree totally about glass! An Astir, Cirrus, ASW15... The list is
endless and all can be had for 10-20$ with sutable (not perfect but
usable) trailer.

Bob (Who's first plane purchase is a part of a Nimbus 3DT)

Dont rule out a share in a higher performance 2 seater. At our club we have
about 8 syndicates with high performance 2 seaters such as AS25, Duo
Discus, DG1000t and Nimbus 3dt. The share price would be about the same
but the running costs, insurance etc are split several ways. The
advantages are that you are very often flying with experienced pilots ( I
can think of several national champions and national team members.)who can
teach and coach you in cross country techniques and advanced soaring. It is
also companionable and one can be flying the aircraft whilst the other is
navigating, sorting out the sandwiches, using the radio etc.

Nigel