Barnstormer's "A Year of Soaring"

[sisu1a]

Kinda cool...

http://www.barnstormers.com/eFLYER/2008/033-eFLYER-FA01-Soaring.html

-Paul

[HoUdino]

With the increase in costs of power flying, one would believe a
program focused on power pilots would see some positive results for
soaring. Thanks for the post!

LT

[Alan[_6_]]

In article > HoUdino > writes:
>With the increase in costs of power flying, one would believe a
>program focused on power pilots would see some positive results for
>soaring. Thanks for the post!


You must be kidding. Gliding costs *lots* more than power flying --
by at least 3 to 1.


Alan

[Frank Whiteley]

On Sep 24, 11:04*pm, (Alan) wrote:
> In article > HoUdino > writes:
>
> >With the increase in costs of power flying, one would believe a
> >program focused on power pilots would see some positive results for
> >soaring. *Thanks for the post!
>
> * You must be kidding. *Gliding costs *lots* more than power flying --
> by at least 3 to 1.
>
> * * * * Alan

Not in my experience, ever. The cheapest power flying I ever did was
$19.50/hour wet for a C152 out of the Fort Lewis Flying Club, WA,
circa 1976.

I have fond memories of 50pence ($1US) five hour flights from winch
launches (RAF clubs). In the early 1990's while in the UK, the number
of second launches off the winch I took to commit soaring could be
counted on one hand for the season. Of course 19m and longer wings
help one scratch away on a regular basis.

Frank

[Alan[_6_]]

In article > Frank Whiteley > writes:
>On Sep 24, 11:04 pm, (Alan) wrote:
>> In article
>.com> HoUdino > writes:
>>
>> >With the increase in costs of power flying, one would believe a
>> >program focused on power pilots would see some positive results for
>> >soaring. Thanks for the post!
>>
>> You must be kidding. Gliding costs *lots* more than power flying --
>> by at least 3 to 1.
>>
>> Alan
>
>Not in my experience, ever. The cheapest power flying I ever did was
>$19.50/hour wet for a C152 out of the Fort Lewis Flying Club, WA,
>circa 1976.

Perhaps I should elaborate.

I slightly beat that in 1977, but I was talking about what it costs
now. C-152's rent for $89 at Palo Alto, about 10 miles from home.

About an hour of glider time cost me $378 last weekend, once it
was added up. That didn't count the 70 mile drive each way to get
there.


>I have fond memories of 50pence ($1US) five hour flights from winch
>launches (RAF clubs). In the early 1990's while in the UK, the number
>of second launches off the winch I took to commit soaring could be
>counted on one hand for the season. Of course 19m and longer wings
>help one scratch away on a regular basis.

Tows cost $26/1000 feet + $7 connection. Lift is apparently a
5000 - 6000 foot tow away, due to the marine layer arriving midday.

No way we get 5 hours for $1.

I have owned a power plane. I have an idea what it must cost to
own/operate/maintain a tow plane. I believe the costs of running
a commercial operation add up. One has to expect to pay to have an
operation that continues to exist.

But, it is not less expensive than power flight. I wish it were
inexpensive; really I do.


Alan

[ContestID67]

On Sep 25, 1:04*pm, (Alan) wrote:

> * You must be kidding. *Gliding costs *lots* more than power flying --
> by at least 3 to 1.
>
> * * * * Alan


Alan,

Explain that statement. I don't get it.

Give me a breakdown on a per flight basis on how gliding is 3x more
expensive than power flight.

Start with student pilot to private ticket, then intermediate XC 1-2
hour flights, then Advanced XC flight.

- John

[Eric Greenwell]

Alan wrote:
> I have owned a power plane. I have an idea what it must cost to
> own/operate/maintain a tow plane. I believe the costs of running
> a commercial operation add up. One has to expect to pay to have an
> operation that continues to exist.
>
> But, it is not less expensive than power flight.

Not the way you do it, but most people manage a far smaller per hour cost.

My cost is about $45/hour, including lost interest on the value of the
glider. It used to be more like $20/hour, but then I bought a really
expensive glider.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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