Learning to fly...

Hi, I'm looking for a way to learn to soar that is safe, efficient, and as
inexpensive as possible because I have to sell this to my wife.

Since I live in the Washington, D.C. area, I believe that the best soaring
areas are probably in New York and in the western USA (I ignorant so please
correct me.). I also believe that I will be a better, 60 year old, pilot
if I concentrate my training rather than space it out over a number of
seasons.

Thus, are there clubs that can provide concentrated training for a
"reasonable" price? So far, a good deal is to be found in New Zealand for
about $2700 everything included, but the and the big butt is the approximate
$2000 airfare (I'm guessing on the price) to New Zealand. My uneducated
guess is that the entire process (given good weather) will take about 14 to
18 days from ground school to glider certification.

My plan would be to obtain a license, and then join a local club here in the
Washington, D.C./Virginia/Maryland area. I would appreciate your
recommendations.

Thanks ...john

Below is a copy of the estimate that they emailed me:
From: Peter Newport ]

John,


A New Zealand qualification and gliding hours will be recognised globally. I
estimate that your costs here could be as low as $US40 per day if you stayed
in our campsite and cooked your own food. Bus fare from Christchurch to
Omarama would be around $US70 return. The Learn to Fly Course is $NZ3,900
($US2700) - all inclusive.

A good time would be late January thru to April 2005 - good calm conditions
for training. We run an intensive course system - 5 - 10 flights per day. In
good weather you could be solo in 7 days. We have the world's best
instructors, a modern sailplane fleet, and powerful tow planes. We can also
take you on some stunning scenic flights into the Southern Alps.


We are biased - but believe this to be the best place in the world to learn
to fly gliders. I took a Learn to Fly course here last year - and bought the
company!


Best regards, Peter Newport

Commercial Director

Southern Soaring Ltd

PO Box 41, Omarama

North Otago 8950, NZ

T +64 (0)3 438 9848

F +64 (0)3 438 9847

M +64 (0) 27 248 8800



www.soaring.co.nz




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: JohnWN [mailto:jwn-lcsw@...]
Sent: Thursday, 21 October 2004 11:43 p.m.
To:
Subject: Learning To Fly


Hi, If I book your learn to fly course, can you estimate the additional cost
of expenses that I would incur such as lodging, food, transportation to and
from the airport, etc. I can live and eat cheap for two week. Also, what
is the best time period (best flying weather) to book the course?

I am trying to compare your course to the cost of completing the course
locally in Virginia, USA. The exchange rate, of course, is a factor as well
as the speed of obtaining a rating/license. Is it difficult to transfer the
NZ license to the USA?


Thanks .john

John N...