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#11
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Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.
In article 4493fbb5.0@entanet, Martin Gregorie
writes Bruce Greef wrote: Whether the K21 is the best option - again too heavy, and too expensive. If the K21 is too heavy, maybe you should consider throwing a bit of money at the winch too - and/or consider a Puchacz. Its a lightly loaded glider and relatively cheap to boot. I've been flying one a lot recently and had forgotten how nice it is to fly and how good its air brakes are. Its only real drawback is a rather narrow winching window - Vmw is 59 kts. Winching: our Supacat has only a 240 hp Deutz diesel, but I've seen it winch launch an ASH-25 several times. I'm told that Poo-Cats have rather unfortunate spinning characteristics, that is they go into a spin rather easily, and if you get it wrong, can also go into an inverted spin. While a K21 without mods, will hardy spin at all. I suppose it depends on your philosophy, if you think pilots should learn how to spin, how to avoid spinning when they don't mean to, then the Poo-cats it is. But if you think that your club is better served by avoiding the possibility of a spin, perhaps the K21 is a wiser choice. -- Mike Lindsay |
#12
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Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.
A PW-6 may be what you need -- performance of a K21, price of a Puch, and it
spins if you want it to. "Mike Lindsay" wrote in message ... In article 4493fbb5.0@entanet, Martin Gregorie writes Bruce Greef wrote: Whether the K21 is the best option - again too heavy, and too expensive. While a K21 without mods, will hardy spin at all. |
#13
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Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.
Bruce Greef wrote: Any thoughts on what we should do here? Other than start saving... Your subject talks about fleet replacement strategies. You admit your club has not been saving. The only sensible strategy is to set aside funds based on your usage of your existing equipment. Consider starting when putting a glider into service, though it's never too late to start. What is the anticipated service life? An L-23 is about 6000 hours to the first overhaul. So divide the existing service life by the number of hours remaining and bank at a rate to cover that cost. Do the same for each glider in the club fleet. Some may be based on restoration costs as they may not have a fixed service limit. Find a useful estimate. Whether this comes from monthly dues or flying fees is moot, but you must use a realistic cost basis. That's just one factor in the real cost of soaring and must be considered when you are setting your rates. You don't necessarily have to set the rates based on what you want to acquire, but on your sunk costs. The rate will increase when you replace or upgrade as you adjust the dues or fees accordingly. As the funds accumulate, you can decide to draw on these funds for fleet replacement or expansion. Some clubs avoid growth and promotion due to lack of available seats. However, if you are setting aside the funds, upgrading and expansion are not so onerous. If you currently have three gliders, you may find that you can add another glider without asking for funds within 2-3 years. Adding the glider will allow and keep more (satisfied) members and increase the rate at which the fund builds. Keep a couple of things in mind. A club is not a business. Yes, you must have fiduciary responsbility, but your aims are not the same as a business. If you adopt a realistic strategic economic plan, you can avoid going to the bank. Financial interest is an expense of doing business. But a club is not a business, is generally devoid of business taxation, and has no tax leverage from expensing interest. In economic terms, financial interest is a loss of future earnings. Keep that in mind while doing some strategic planning. Your club is much better off over the long run to set aside funds up front, than paying interest on any notes later. If you can replace or upgrade in advance of selling, you will also leverage your purchase and sale prices. If you are under pressure, it will cost you every time. Frank Whiteley |
#14
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Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.
Charles Yeates wrote:
A PW-6 may be what you need -- performance of a K21, price of a Puch, and it spins if you want it to. "Mike Lindsay" wrote in message ... In article 4493fbb5.0@entanet, Martin Gregorie writes Bruce Greef wrote: Whether the K21 is the best option - again too heavy, and too expensive. While a K21 without mods, will hardy spin at all. Hi Charles PW6 is top of my list. The club management needs convincing... Bruce |
#15
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Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.
Bruce Greef wrote: Charles Yeates wrote: A PW-6 may be what you need -- performance of a K21, price of a Puch, and it spins if you want it to. "Mike Lindsay" wrote in message ... In article 4493fbb5.0@entanet, Martin Gregorie writes Bruce Greef wrote: Whether the K21 is the best option - again too heavy, and too expensive. While a K21 without mods, will hardy spin at all. Hi Charles PW6 is top of my list. The club management needs convincing... Bruce Great ground handling also. Even better is XC training potential due to ease of rigging and derigging. Be sure to get one with a trailer. Frank Whiteley |
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