I've got to say there's some real daydreamers on this thread with their head buried way deep in the sand.
I've operated a tow plane in Telluride Colorado.
I've paid the bills.
Capital costs.
Insurance.
Fuel.
Maintenance and inspections.
New tires.
General repairs.
Airport and tie down fees.
New engine when the old one got a oil leak and seized up.
Scheduled tow pilots.
Bought tow ropes and rings.
Etc
Etc
Etc
That $3750 early buy in price is a screaming deal if you ask me!
Include O2 fills and retrieves.
That is cheap! and its good for A Whole Year!
If I lived near Minden or planned on being there for any length of time I'd send in my check today with a big Thank You note attached.
Its SOO hard for a commercial operation to just break even much less take on the legal liability on top of No Money at the end of the year, we stopped doing it.
God Bless Soar Minden I say.