On Oct 25, 4:17*am, Martin Gregorie
wrote:
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
org * * * |

Which route you go depends very much on the available rental fleet
where you live and the club's attitude to flying. Many European clubs
have a lot of club ships available to their members that span the
whole spectrum from trainers to club class ships to modern racing
sailplanes. However, some clubs don't permit their ships to be flown
out of gliding range of the home field. Here in the USA, clubs
typically don't have such a wide variety of ships, but they can be
very cost-effective. (Our Tucson Soaring Club does not charge members
for the use of club ships - it's included in the monthly membership
fee - and we have several cross-country ships).

You will find that once you have your own ship, you will fly a lot
more. It's not unusual for owners to report that their flying hours
double with their own ship. Comparing costs isn't easy with this in
mind.

Insurance has typically been a half or more of the costs of ownership
- just double it as a first guess.

Mike