SSA Growth

On May 27, 3:11*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 27, 1:40*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:









On May 27, 10:21*am, Bill D wrote:

On May 27, 7:31*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 26, 4:10*pm, Bill D wrote:

The result is small, may be a fluke and it's too soon for the
LetsGoGliding campaign to claim credit but, since February, SSA
membership has grown at least 50 members every month with 74 new
members in April which represents a reversal of the long term downward
trend.

The number of bumper stickers and trailer graphics on the road is
still small. However, if they are part of the reason for growth, it
means more of them will work even better. *PLEASE, please, put them on
your trailer and car. *There are other aspects of LGG but it's the one
thing you can to to help.

If the trend holds for another couple of months, it's time to be
thinking of new trainers - the Euro is falling.

Bill Daniels
SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman

This is great news.
The SSA typically gains 20% new members every year and loses 22%.
Let's all be nice to the newcomers and see if we can get more of them
to stick!
John Cochrane

John, that's going to be the hard part.

But it is the crucial part. In fact, we get a lot of people in the
front door. But if 1:10 rides take a lesson, 1:10 lessons get a
license, 1:10 licenses fly cross country, and 1:10 of those are still
with us in 5 years, we're lucky.
I am all for the SSA's new growth programs. But I do think we need to
add some keep efforts.
John Cochrane

Yes, John, retention is absolutely critical.

If you have some ideas, we'd like to hear them.

Form a task force and develop a reasonable cost solution to the Blanik
AD that is acceptable to the FAA. This would jump start instruction
all over the US immediately.

On Monday, May 28, 2012 2:31:23 PM UTC-4, Tim Taylor wrote:
On May 27, 3:11*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 27, 1:40*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:









On May 27, 10:21*am, Bill D wrote:

On May 27, 7:31*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 26, 4:10*pm, Bill D wrote:

The result is small, may be a fluke and it's too soon for the
LetsGoGliding campaign to claim credit but, since February, SSA
membership has grown at least 50 members every month with 74 new
members in April which represents a reversal of the long term downward
trend.

The number of bumper stickers and trailer graphics on the road is
still small. However, if they are part of the reason for growth, it
means more of them will work even better. *PLEASE, please, put them on
your trailer and car. *There are other aspects of LGG but it's the one
thing you can to to help.

If the trend holds for another couple of months, it's time to be
thinking of new trainers - the Euro is falling.

Bill Daniels
SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman

This is great news.
The SSA typically gains 20% new members every year and loses 22%.
Let's all be nice to the newcomers and see if we can get more of them
to stick!
John Cochrane

John, that's going to be the hard part.

But it is the crucial part. In fact, we get a lot of people in the
front door. But if 1:10 rides take a lesson, 1:10 lessons get a
license, 1:10 licenses fly cross country, and 1:10 of those are still
with us in 5 years, we're lucky.
I am all for the SSA's new growth programs. But I do think we need to
add some keep efforts.
John Cochrane

Yes, John, retention is absolutely critical.

If you have some ideas, we'd like to hear them.

Form a task force and develop a reasonable cost solution to the Blanik
AD that is acceptable to the FAA. This would jump start instruction
all over the US immediately.

I think the Blanik owners should form a type club and seek a solution of their own. Aircraft from Bonanzas to T34's have done just this and created solutions. The SSA consists of volunteers and a few paid staff members in Hobbs. The SSA appears hardly equipped to engineer a solution with even the best of "task force committees". Why is there no volunteer in the Blanik community uniting you guys?

Lane
XF

On May 28, 7:38*pm, wrote:
On Monday, May 28, 2012 2:31:23 PM UTC-4, Tim Taylor wrote:
On May 27, 3:11*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 27, 1:40*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 27, 10:21*am, Bill D wrote:

On May 27, 7:31*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 26, 4:10*pm, Bill D wrote:

The result is small, may be a fluke and it's too soon for the
LetsGoGliding campaign to claim credit but, since February, SSA
membership has grown at least 50 members every month with 74 new
members in April which represents a reversal of the long term downward
trend.

The number of bumper stickers and trailer graphics on the road is
still small. However, if they are part of the reason for growth, it
means more of them will work even better. *PLEASE, please, put them on
your trailer and car. *There are other aspects of LGG but it's the one
thing you can to to help.

If the trend holds for another couple of months, it's time to be
thinking of new trainers - the Euro is falling.

Bill Daniels
SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman

This is great news.
The SSA typically gains 20% new members every year and loses 22%.
Let's all be nice to the newcomers and see if we can get more of them
to stick!
John Cochrane

John, that's going to be the hard part.

But it is the crucial part. In fact, we get a lot of people in the
front door. But if 1:10 rides take a lesson, 1:10 lessons get a
license, 1:10 licenses fly cross country, and 1:10 of those are still
with us in 5 years, we're lucky.
I am all for the SSA's new growth programs. But I do think we need to
add some keep efforts.
John Cochrane

Yes, John, retention is absolutely critical.

If you have some ideas, we'd like to hear them.

Form a task force and develop a reasonable cost solution to the Blanik
AD that is acceptable to the FAA. *This would jump start instruction
all over the US immediately.

I think the Blanik owners should form a type club and seek a solution of their own. *Aircraft from Bonanzas to T34's have done just this and created solutions. *The SSA consists of volunteers and a few paid staff members in Hobbs. *The SSA appears hardly equipped to engineer a solution with even the best of "task force committees". *Why is there no volunteer in the Blanik community uniting you guys?

Lane
XF

I agree with Lane. I would also suggest being realistic with your
expectations. The fix, if there ever is one, may be just too
expensive for the old L-13. The Bonanza's and T-34's were valuable
airplanes whose resale value could cover the cost of fixing them.
It's pretty hard to see that happening with a $10,000 glider. In the
long run, it may be better to direct your energy and finances toward
buying a new glider.

On May 28, 8:43*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 28, 7:38*pm, wrote:









On Monday, May 28, 2012 2:31:23 PM UTC-4, Tim Taylor wrote:
On May 27, 3:11*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 27, 1:40*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 27, 10:21*am, Bill D wrote:

On May 27, 7:31*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 26, 4:10*pm, Bill D wrote:

The result is small, may be a fluke and it's too soon for the
LetsGoGliding campaign to claim credit but, since February, SSA
membership has grown at least 50 members every month with 74 new
members in April which represents a reversal of the long term downward
trend.

The number of bumper stickers and trailer graphics on the road is
still small. However, if they are part of the reason for growth, it
means more of them will work even better. *PLEASE, please, put them on
your trailer and car. *There are other aspects of LGG but it's the one
thing you can to to help.

If the trend holds for another couple of months, it's time to be
thinking of new trainers - the Euro is falling.

Bill Daniels
SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman

This is great news.
The SSA typically gains 20% new members every year and loses 22%.
Let's all be nice to the newcomers and see if we can get more of them
to stick!
John Cochrane

John, that's going to be the hard part.

But it is the crucial part. In fact, we get a lot of people in the
front door. But if 1:10 rides take a lesson, 1:10 lessons get a
license, 1:10 licenses fly cross country, and 1:10 of those are still
with us in 5 years, we're lucky.
I am all for the SSA's new growth programs. But I do think we need to
add some keep efforts.
John Cochrane

Yes, John, retention is absolutely critical.

If you have some ideas, we'd like to hear them.

Form a task force and develop a reasonable cost solution to the Blanik
AD that is acceptable to the FAA. *This would jump start instruction
all over the US immediately.

I think the Blanik owners should form a type club and seek a solution of their own. *Aircraft from Bonanzas to T34's have done just this and created solutions. *The SSA consists of volunteers and a few paid staff members in Hobbs. *The SSA appears hardly equipped to engineer a solution with even the best of "task force committees". *Why is there no volunteer in the Blanik community uniting you guys?

Lane
XF

I agree with Lane. *I would also suggest being realistic with your
expectations. *The fix, if there ever is one, may be just too
expensive for the old L-13. *The Bonanza's and T-34's were valuable
airplanes whose resale value could cover the cost of fixing them.
It's pretty hard to see that happening with a $10,000 glider. *In the
long run, it may be better to direct your energy and finances toward
buying a new glider.

Bill,

Your opinion has been known from the beginning. You are sadly out of
touch with the majority of small clubs that have been essentially
grounded by this AD. I know many operations that have been shut down
for the last two years. Maybe you belong to a club with great
resources, but many small clubs can not support the debt load required
for a new trainer. While you precieve this to be the owners problem,
we looked to the SSA for leadership and essentially found none. This
has been one of the greatest failures of the SSA to date. I have
spoken to all levels of the administration and found a total lack of
leadership from our organization.

I am serious that if the SSA is serious about growing the sport and
number of pilots it will provide the leadership and influence to find
a viable solution to this problem.

On May 28, 9:05*pm, Tim Taylor wrote:
On May 28, 8:43*pm, Bill D wrote:









On May 28, 7:38*pm, wrote:

On Monday, May 28, 2012 2:31:23 PM UTC-4, Tim Taylor wrote:
On May 27, 3:11*pm, Bill D wrote:
On May 27, 1:40*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 27, 10:21*am, Bill D wrote:

On May 27, 7:31*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

On May 26, 4:10*pm, Bill D wrote:

The result is small, may be a fluke and it's too soon for the
LetsGoGliding campaign to claim credit but, since February, SSA
membership has grown at least 50 members every month with 74 new
members in April which represents a reversal of the long term downward
trend.

The number of bumper stickers and trailer graphics on the road is
still small. However, if they are part of the reason for growth, it
means more of them will work even better. *PLEASE, please, put them on
your trailer and car. *There are other aspects of LGG but it's the one
thing you can to to help.

If the trend holds for another couple of months, it's time to be
thinking of new trainers - the Euro is falling.

Bill Daniels
SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman

This is great news.
The SSA typically gains 20% new members every year and loses 22%.
Let's all be nice to the newcomers and see if we can get more of them
to stick!
John Cochrane

John, that's going to be the hard part.

But it is the crucial part. In fact, we get a lot of people in the
front door. But if 1:10 rides take a lesson, 1:10 lessons get a
license, 1:10 licenses fly cross country, and 1:10 of those are still
with us in 5 years, we're lucky.
I am all for the SSA's new growth programs. But I do think we need to
add some keep efforts.
John Cochrane

Yes, John, retention is absolutely critical.

If you have some ideas, we'd like to hear them.

Form a task force and develop a reasonable cost solution to the Blanik
AD that is acceptable to the FAA. *This would jump start instruction
all over the US immediately.

I think the Blanik owners should form a type club and seek a solution of their own. *Aircraft from Bonanzas to T34's have done just this and created solutions. *The SSA consists of volunteers and a few paid staff members in Hobbs. *The SSA appears hardly equipped to engineer a solution with even the best of "task force committees". *Why is there no volunteer in the Blanik community uniting you guys?

Lane
XF

I agree with Lane. *I would also suggest being realistic with your
expectations. *The fix, if there ever is one, may be just too
expensive for the old L-13. *The Bonanza's and T-34's were valuable
airplanes whose resale value could cover the cost of fixing them.
It's pretty hard to see that happening with a $10,000 glider. *In the
long run, it may be better to direct your energy and finances toward
buying a new glider.

Bill,

Your opinion has been known from the beginning. You are sadly out of
touch with the majority of small clubs that have been essentially
grounded by this AD. *I know many operations that have been shut down
for the last two years. *Maybe you belong to a club with great
resources, but many small clubs can not support the debt load required
for a new trainer. *While you precieve this to be the owners problem,
we looked to the SSA for leadership and essentially found none. *This
has been one of the greatest failures of the SSA to date. *I have
spoken to all levels of the administration and found a total lack of
leadership from our organization.

I am serious that if the SSA is serious about growing the sport and
number of pilots it will provide the leadership and influence to find
a viable solution to this problem.

No, Tim, I'm very much in touch with the L-13 problem. We have club
just down the airfield with just one grounded Blanik. They're
everywhere. It's a very sad thing to see. Like you, I feel the
frustration. Solving the trainer shortage brought on by the grounding
is right at the top of the LGG proposal.

Despite your allegations, SSA Director Steve Northcraft has spent many
months doing a heroic job on the L-13 problem. Steve is an Aerospace
engineer with much experience in aero structures and many contacts at
the FAA. I can't think of anyone better qualified to work the issue.
There will most likely be a fix eventually but the cost is probably
not going to be what people are hoping for. (I hope I'm wrong about
that.) Please try not to shoot the messenger.

On May 28, 9:01*pm, Bill D wrote:

There will most likely be a fix eventually but the cost is probably
not going to be what people are hoping for. *(I hope I'm wrong about
that.) *Please try not to shoot the messenger.


I was talking to several folks at a soaring event this weekend, and I
had been on the bandwagon of "ditch the L-13s and lets buy something
new" for awhile... But their comments really made me see this in a
new light: We've been considering the L-13 a $10k - $20k airplane,
and the idea of dumping $10k - $15k into it for a fix seems "wrong"
because its such a huge percentage of the airplane's value. BUT,
there's another way to look at it. Instead of considering the "street
value" of the L-13, try considering the cost of the L-13 repair in
contrast with the next-better alternative; which is either a Grob-103
or something like a TST-14 "Bonus" or SZD "Perkoz":
G-103 = Roughly $35k+ (also likely to be high-time and parts are ??)
TST-14 = Unknown, but gotta be at _least_ $60k+ I'm guessing
SZD "Perkoz" = Looks like a sweet setup and cheaper than an ASK-21,
but its still ~$85k (public quotes of 65,000 euros)

So in light of THOSE costs, dropping $10k - $15k on a Blanik is a hell
of a lot cheaper.

Of course, its still just a short-term fix. Like our aging membership
issues, we find ourselves in a hole. This time around its equipment
and finances. The US Soaring scene leaned on tired 2-33's (and
L-13's) for way too long and did not do a good job of building
infrastructure or making stepwise investments in better equipment. So
now we have to try to dig ourselves out of a mess. I sincerely hope
that more clubs do a better job of long-term financial planning than
they have done over the last 20 years; it seems that few people
consider charging enough money to put aside funds for re-covering,
buying new gear, or any other multi-year goals.

On the topic of longer-term solutions, I would love to see what the
new Lea County State Bank trainer loans look like. With the EAA and
some aviation-oriented banks I can get 7-15 year loan terms on both
finished aircraft and even un-built KITS. It seems that similar
financing should be available for sailplanes, with long terms given
the lengthy service-life that our aircraft experience.

I am also curious if any clubs have self-financed new equipment (by
taking out loans from members)? Getting ~15 members to each pony up
$5k - $10k at 5% interest would get you a new trainer. And promising
individuals a ~5% return on their money is a hell of a lot better than
most CDs or Money-Market accounts these days; and even better than
some stock portfolios! :-P

In the "I wish..." column, I'd love to see a non-Euro-currency country
out there building an inexpensive (say $50k - $60k) trainer. The
aerodynamics nowadays are well-understood so it should be easy to make
something simple that has no "bad habits". I've always been told that
its the tooling and labor costs - especially the labor costs - that's
the issue. So shouldn't it be possible to get a known group of
aerodynamic and mechanical engineers together to make a solid design,
and then fabricate the darned thing in a region with lower labor
costs? I'm thinking South America, India, or another area where
technically-oriented people live and they can put something together
without major quality-control concerns... Seems like it should be
possible (see: Embraer, or some of the aerospace contracting that's
done in the Asia-Pacific region). Of course, Windward performance
comes to mind for a "local" solution. I'm sure they have a few
Duckhawk orders to process right now, but I wonder if Windward could
switch from PrePreg to some simpler fiberglass & kevlar layups and
operate cheaply enough to put out a reasonably-priced trainer that's
sold in US Dollars?

OK, enough wishing for now...

--Noel
P.S. I am sure a few people are thinking about chiming in and saying
that a trainer has to be metal because it needs to be tied out. My
only response is: If you can get the trainer down to a reasonable
price, you can afford a couple of extra thousand dollars for a nice
set of covers. Also, Polyurethane is probably a good idea (to make
repainting/refinishing easier over the next couple of decades), no?

"noel.wade" wrote in message
...

On May 28, 9:01 pm, Bill D wrote:


snip

I am also curious if any clubs have self-financed new equipment (by
taking out loans from members)? Getting ~15 members to each pony up
$5k - $10k at 5% interest would get you a new trainer. And promising
individuals a ~5% return on their money is a hell of a lot better than
most CDs or Money-Market accounts these days; and even better than
some stock portfolios! :-P



My small club did exactly what you suggest. The choice before us was
basically pony up for a newer trainer or fold.
We borrowed money from seven members and purchased a Grob 103 from a German
club.
Getting the money was the easy part! Dealing with two countries, shipping
companies, Americanizing the trailer etc. was a LOT of work.
We have been flying it (and making the payments) for about a year now.

Bob McKellar

On May 29, 1:18*pm, "noel.wade" wrote:
I am also curious if any clubs have self-financed new equipment (by
taking out loans from members)? *Getting ~15 members to each pony up
$5k - $10k at 5% interest would get you a new trainer. *And promising
individuals a ~5% return on their money is a hell of a lot better than
most CDs or Money-Market accounts these days; and even better than
some stock portfolios! :-P

About 5 years ago I and a few others did precisely that, loaned money
to a local club to buy a nice G103C that had belonged to a (sadly)
deceased member. We had the option of either 5% interest over a 3
year term or no interest and waiving associated flight fees for the
glider. Works well if you have one glider to replace, and members who
have ready access to cash, might be a bit tougher during this
perpetual recession. It was lucky we did this, primary training fleet
was two L-13s, along with two older G103s.

In the "I wish..." column, I'd love to see a non-Euro-currency country
out there building an inexpensive (say $50k - $60k) trainer. *The
aerodynamics nowadays are well-understood so it should be easy to make
something simple that has no "bad habits". *I've always been told that
its the tooling and labor costs - especially the labor costs - that's
the issue. *So shouldn't it be possible to get a known group of
aerodynamic and mechanical engineers together to make a solid design,
and then fabricate the darned thing in a region with lower labor
costs? I'm thinking South America, India, or another area where
technically-oriented people live and they can put something together
without major quality-control concerns... Seems like it should be
possible (see: Embraer, or some of the aerospace contracting that's
done in the Asia-Pacific region). *Of course, Windward performance
comes to mind for a "local" solution. *I'm sure they have a few
Duckhawk orders to process right now, but I wonder if Windward could
switch from PrePreg to some simpler fiberglass & kevlar layups and
operate cheaply enough to put out a reasonably-priced trainer that's
sold in US Dollars?

Paging Bob Kuykendall! Please enter URL http://www.kickstarter.com/
8^)

Also, my favorite bizarre concept, an ASK13 clone constructed
primarily of CNC cut fiberglass honeycomb and precured sheets, glued
together like a giant balsa wood model:

http://www.retroplane.net/forum/files/optimist_195.pdf

Marc

On Tuesday, May 29, 2012 4:18:44 PM UTC-4, noel.wade wrote:

new" for awhile... But their comments really made me see this in a
new light: We've been considering the L-13 a $10k - $20k airplane,
and the idea of dumping $10k - $15k into it for a fix seems "wrong"
because its such a huge percentage of the airplane's value. BUT,
there's another way to look at it. Instead of considering the "street
value" of the L-13, try considering the cost of the L-13 repair in
contrast with the next-better alternative; which is either a Grob-103
or something like a TST-14 "Bonus" or SZD "Perkoz":
G-103 = Roughly $35k+ (also likely to be high-time and parts are ??)

You point out financing instruments in your post, rightfully so.

This view on the Blanik repair, however, is described as a cash-flow rather than equity issue. If we set aside liquidity, the picture is this.

When the AD came out those Blaniks lost their value in an instant. No further action will change that. The two options you point out amount to this:

1) Invest, say, $12k to obtain $15k in equity, or
2) Spend $35k on a Twin Astir and get $35k in equity.

At 3.5% (some of our members have offered to use their home equity line of credit for this), we're looking at $420 vs. $1225 p.a. in capital cost, and substantially higher cost in hull insurance. A medium-sized club will have to carefully consider if that makes sense. NB, whether you have to go to a bank or use existing capital, the capital cost will be the same apart from the spread in interest rates.

I've been pushing club members to look at these things in capital cost and various forms of equity rather than just indulging in cash-basis accounting.. Among the things that it can convincingly show is that a club should not afford to keep gliders around that don't fly as much, or operate a higher-value but less-useful towplane.

On May 29, 2:18*pm, "noel.wade" wrote:
On May 28, 9:01*pm, Bill D wrote:

There will most likely be a fix eventually but the cost is probably
not going to be what people are hoping for. *(I hope I'm wrong about
that.) *Please try not to shoot the messenger.

I was talking to several folks at a soaring event this weekend, and I
had been on the bandwagon of "ditch the L-13s and lets buy something
new" for awhile... *But their comments really made me see this in a
new light: *We've been considering the L-13 a $10k - $20k airplane,
and the idea of dumping $10k - $15k into it for a fix seems "wrong"
because its such a huge percentage of the airplane's value. *BUT,
there's another way to look at it. *Instead of considering the "street
value" of the L-13, try considering the cost of the L-13 repair in
contrast with the next-better alternative; which is either a Grob-103
or something like a TST-14 "Bonus" or SZD "Perkoz":
G-103 = Roughly $35k+ (also likely to be high-time and parts are ??)
TST-14 = Unknown, but gotta be at _least_ $60k+ I'm guessing
SZD "Perkoz" = Looks like a sweet setup and cheaper than an ASK-21,
but its still ~$85k (public quotes of 65,000 euros)

So in light of THOSE costs, dropping $10k - $15k on a Blanik is a hell
of a lot cheaper.

Of course, its still just a short-term fix. *Like our aging membership
issues, we find ourselves in a hole. This time around its equipment
and finances. *The US Soaring scene leaned on tired 2-33's (and
L-13's) for way too long and did not do a good job of building
infrastructure or making stepwise investments in better equipment. *So
now we have to try to dig ourselves out of a mess. *I sincerely hope
that more clubs do a better job of long-term financial planning than
they have done over the last 20 years; it seems that few people
consider charging enough money to put aside funds for re-covering,
buying new gear, or any other multi-year goals.

On the topic of longer-term solutions, I would love to see what the
new Lea County State Bank trainer loans look like. *With the EAA and
some aviation-oriented banks I can get 7-15 year loan terms on both
finished aircraft and even un-built KITS. *It seems that similar
financing should be available for sailplanes, with long terms given
the lengthy service-life that our aircraft experience.

I am also curious if any clubs have self-financed new equipment (by
taking out loans from members)? *Getting ~15 members to each pony up
$5k - $10k at 5% interest would get you a new trainer. *And promising
individuals a ~5% return on their money is a hell of a lot better than
most CDs or Money-Market accounts these days; and even better than
some stock portfolios! :-P

In the "I wish..." column, I'd love to see a non-Euro-currency country
out there building an inexpensive (say $50k - $60k) trainer. *The
aerodynamics nowadays are well-understood so it should be easy to make
something simple that has no "bad habits". *I've always been told that
its the tooling and labor costs - especially the labor costs - that's
the issue. *So shouldn't it be possible to get a known group of
aerodynamic and mechanical engineers together to make a solid design,
and then fabricate the darned thing in a region with lower labor
costs? I'm thinking South America, India, or another area where
technically-oriented people live and they can put something together
without major quality-control concerns... Seems like it should be
possible (see: Embraer, or some of the aerospace contracting that's
done in the Asia-Pacific region). *Of course, Windward performance
comes to mind for a "local" solution. *I'm sure they have a few
Duckhawk orders to process right now, but I wonder if Windward could
switch from PrePreg to some simpler fiberglass & kevlar layups and
operate cheaply enough to put out a reasonably-priced trainer that's
sold in US Dollars?

OK, enough wishing for now...

--Noel
P.S. *I am sure a few people are thinking about chiming in and saying
that a trainer has to be metal because it needs to be tied out. *My
only response is: If you can get the trainer down to a reasonable
price, you can afford a couple of extra thousand dollars for a nice
set of covers. *Also, Polyurethane is probably a good idea (to make
repainting/refinishing easier over the next couple of decades), no?

Answering your 'PS' first, I fly ASK-21's which are so incredibly easy
to rig, we rig them every morning and put them back in their trailers
every night. As an old geezer, I've rigged two of them with a couple
of teenage CAP cadets to help. Covered trailers are "hangars on
wheels" which dramatically extend airframe life.

Now, let's say L-13's are now worthless. If you could repair them for
$10k, you have a $10k glider which seems like a good deal. But, it
would be a 1955 design with a 400Lb payload and probably a 1,500 hour
life remaining and no possibility of extensions. OTOH, you could use
that $10k for a down payment on an ASK-21 with an 484 Lb payload and
a18,000 hour life and charge an extra $10/hr for debt service 'til the
loan is paid off. But then, I'm kinda partial to ASK-21's as trainers.