On Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:51:38 -0700, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:

I am sure this has been kicked about before, but times (and prices)
change.

Anyone want to share their experience on the real cost of ownership of a
modern glass ship (aside from purchase price)? I got a ballpark
estimate from Costello Insurance for a $50K glider/trailer that ran
about $1450/year for insurance. What do you spend on maintenance,
inspections, taxes, etc? I am comparing this to a rent/borrow
situation, so the cost of flying (tows, retrieves, hotels, etc.) don't
count, but tie downs and things like that, do.

When I sat down and did the sums a few years back (2003/4) here in the UK,
the numbers said 70 hours a year was the break point: below that it was
better to fly club gliders (my club has two Discii and a Peg 90) at
around £30/hour and above running a used glider in the ASW-19/20/Pegase
category was cheaper. That's assuming solo ownership. A two person
syndicate would obviously move the break point down to 35 hours.

To put UK numbers on this: I currently am sole owner and operator of an
H.201 Libelle. This year its cost me a bit under £2400 to operate. That
includes insurance, trailer parking on the field, annual inspection and
all normal operating costs including minor trailer repairs.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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