(Hijacked) Bang for the Buck

Derek C. wrote "In my experience, owning a higher performance glider
just means that you land out further away"

This is the exact reason I enjoy the self launching sailplane so much. Lots
of people thinks it's because you can go whenever you want, which holds some
truth, but in fact, we all want to go on good soaring days...the engine, is
the easiest retrieve I've found yet...I've made many cross country flights
in the DG-400 and landed out at other airports along the route, stood the
engine up and took off heading for home. Flying in Western Washington is
very similar to flying in Britain, where we don't have killer soaring
weather all that often, but you can take advantage of
a lot of medium decent days, by just trying...I flew a 150 mile out and
return flight last year and never got about 4,000 msl and spent the bulk of
the day at 3000 to 3500 scratching and clawing...didn't have to run the
engine that day, but it was nice to know I could "Self-retrieve" if
necessary.

Perhaps the bang for the buck theory is correct, that you can get plenty of
fun flying for less money...but if the extra money of a self launcher allows
you more of the use you desire...then it's not such a bad investment...sorta
the same with an expensive racer...if that's what you desire, then by all
means, enjoy your investment!!!


I finally got my Stemme S-10 home, and am ready to get on with learning how
to maximize my flying fun in a new ship...and dang...I feel good about the
investment!!

Steve Hill