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#21
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Stewart Kissel wrote:
I don't see to many tow operations getting rich, and they will get squeezed. I suppose those with deep pockets can go to self-launching, but not sure if that is really saving money in the long run. It does take deep pockets to afford an 18 meter self-launcher, but most of the cost is the very fine glider you are buying. There are 13 meter and 15 meter self-launchers that cost less than that 50:1 18 meter glider(even if the 18 m glider doesn't have engine). So, cost is not necessarily an obstacle. The long drives many of us do to get to our soaring spots are going to take a bigger bite as well. A self-launcher may let you avoid that drive entirely, if you can soar from your local airport. I do that, and it saves a 220 mile round trip to the gliderport. Alternatively, you may be able to motor to the good soaring, even if the local airport is a sink hole. "Traveling" in a motorglider is relatively cheap, even in my ASH 26 E. I've made several 150+ mile retrieves (no soaring), using about 2 gallons in the process. This is a lot less fuel than my mini-van would use for the ~400 mile round-trip retrieve. Of course, there are other good reasons to own a self-launcher, regardless which way the finances figure out. -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#22
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Eric Greenwell wrote:
A self-launcher may let you avoid that drive entirely, if you can soar from your local airport. I do that, and it saves a 220 mile round trip to the gliderport. Alternatively, you may be able to motor to the good soaring, even if the local airport is a sink hole. "Traveling" in a motorglider is relatively cheap, even in my ASH 26 E. I've made several 150+ mile retrieves (no soaring), using about 2 gallons in the process. This is a lot less fuel than my mini-van would use for the ~400 mile round-trip retrieve. Speaking of traveling in an ASH-26E, have you ever seen how much stuff Kempton manages to cram into his? He'll fly around the Great Basin for a few seemingly using only what's in the aircraft. Jeremy |
#23
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Jeremy Zawodny wrote:
Speaking of traveling in an ASH-26E, have you ever seen how much stuff Kempton manages to cram into his? He'll fly around the Great Basin for a few seemingly using only what's in the aircraft. Kempton was one of the pilots I had in mind, though he is an extreme case of using the glider to travel to soaring. I admire his efforts, but haven't persuaded myself to emulate them! The two ASH 26 E pilots that fly out of Ramona (near San Diego) for soaring in the Warner Springs area are probably a better model for most pilots. -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#24
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I used to figure the operating cost of my Tahoe at 75c per mile. Now,
it is more like 85-90c per mile, making the round trip to the nearest glider port cost about $200. On top of that meals and, perhaps, a motel room. But that is not the worst part, which is the best soaring weather often does not happen on the weekends. I can leave my office and be airborne in under an hour. This accounts for about half of my flying this year. Tom |
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