Seeking Partners for Minden Based Glider

HI,

My name is Don Johnson and I live in Reno, NV. I am looking for 2 or
possibly 3 responsible people with whom to form a partnership and
purchase a glider to be based in Minden, NV, USA. I'm thinking that if
each of the partners kicked in approximately eight to twelve thousand
US dollars (depending upon the total number of partners), we could
find a quite nice ship. The glider I would be most intererestd in
having would be a Discus B, but I would also consider an LS-4, DG-300,
ASW-20 BL or CL, or any other glider with performance in the 40 to
45:1 range. I would PREFER a non-flapped glider, but depending upon
consensus among partners, would consider about any ship out there.

As for my personal flying experience/credentials, I am an 11,000 hour
pilot with ATP in both Airplanes and helos, commercial glider and
seaplane, and have a CFI Airplane, Airplane instrument, Airplane
multi-engine and am also a CFI Glider. Though I have only about 200
hours in gliders, I do have a gold badge with all 3 diamonds and an
international Diamond badge number 6509. I would not expect every
partner to have similar qualifications and experience, but would want
all to be mature, responsible, careful pilots.

With winter coming upon us before we know it, we would have plenty of
time to form a group, decide what sort of glider we want and conduct a
search for THE ONE. We would then be ready to fly in the 2004 season
or even the 2003-2004 wave season. If we managed to get organized and
find a glider sooner than that, it would surprise me, but, as is well
known, we DO have some pretty decent soaring days on occasion all year
round!

Anyone interested pleae contact me at . I would also
be interesetd in hearing from anyone with tales ( good or bad!)to tell
about partnerships, the pitfalls and benefits, or any other tips!

Thanks,

Don Johnson
Reno, NV