The tourist industry in Maine is probably where he gets all his business.
That being true, spending money with SSA probably seems not a good
investment from that point of view. I doubt that they have any interest
in anything except selling a unique experience (airplane flights around
the area would not be a draw). I'd guess they never fly except to carry
passengers.

Hardly a soaring activity -- no ridges or waves, and passengers don't
want a lot of circling, so thermalling is out. This appears to be
completely disconnected from the soaring community and its point of view.

They could very likely give good answers to all the business questions
Burt and others raise.


At 18:22 06 February 2009, Darryl Ramm wrote:
Use the Web Luke.

Google'ing "Maine glider ride" first hit is the company you mention.

http://www.spiritsoaring.org/

Seem pretty experienced folks and appear to be flying an Grob 109
touring motorglider.

There are other web site claiming to offer conventional glider rides
in Maine. Not sure why they would not want to be in the SSA index.

Darryl


On Feb 6, 8:00=A0am, Nyal Williams wrote:
There is a state Representative in Maine who has this as a business on
th=
e
side. =A0He has two motor gliders and he has a substitute pilot who
flies
for him when he can't be available. =A0This man is not a member of
SSA,
n=
or
is his business registered there, and his site is not on the SSA map
of
places to fly -- there is not such a one in the state of Maine. He
advertises locally and has brochures at the airport.

At the moment I can't remember either his name or at which airport he
flies, but I can easily find out from a contact in Maine. =A0If you
are
interested in pursuing this, send me a private email.

at At 07:21 06 February 2009, tienshanman wrote:



What do you guys think: is it feasible for one guy with a 2 seat
motorglider to offer glider rides as a part time business; just to
earn
a bit of spare cash? Do you know anyone doing this who is not part of
a
larger commercial soaring operation or schoool? Would appreciate your
thoughts.

--
tienshanman