FAA to ground 80% of Glider Training Fleet... it's just a question of when

On Friday, April 5, 2013 8:54:11 AM UTC-6, Evan Ludeman wrote:
On Friday, April 5, 2013 10:41:37 AM UTC-4, Bill D wrote:

Yes, it's expensive up-front but they have a long life and will pay that investment back.


If capital cost were no problem, we would not have a problem.

T8

Buying the cheapest glider without regard for value is part of what got us into this jam.

On Friday, April 5, 2013 10:01:20 AM UTC-5, Bill D wrote:
On Friday, April 5, 2013 8:54:11 AM UTC-6, Evan Ludeman wrote: On Friday, April 5, 2013 10:41:37 AM UTC-4, Bill D wrote: Yes, it's expensive up-front but they have a long life and will pay that investment back. If capital cost were no problem, we would not have a problem. T8 Buying the cheapest glider without regard for value is part of what got us into this jam.

at one time the SSA was working on developing a program with Lea County State Bank to offer attractive financing options to clubs for two seaters. Sort of a group buy discount or something? Has there been any progress on that?

Yes, it's expensive up-front but they have a long life and will pay that investment back.

If capital cost were no problem, we would not have a problem.
T8

Buying the cheapest glider without regard for value is part of what got us into this jam.

If capital cost is the problem, utilization is the answer. As an
economist, it's a bit funny to see a $120,000 asset sitting on the
ground except for 12-5 pm on weekends 6 months of the year. An ASK 21
would pay for itself really quickly if training started at 7 am --
much better for students anyway -- and went on until dusk, 7 days a
week, and then moved to Florida/Arizona/Texas/California for the
winter. That it doesn't -- that commercial operators don't give
discounts for off peak utilization for example -- has always struck me
as a bit of a mystery. Capital cost must not be that big a deal in the
end...


John Cochrane