On Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:30:04 AM UTC-7, soarin wrote:
I recently read a a blurb on the SSA home page that claims the following.



High AVGAS prices ($6-$13/gal currently) are hurting aero tow operations.

Ultimately, US soaring will have to adopt fuel efficient winch launch to

keep the sport affordable



Locally here in Ca we currently pay $5.60 per gal 100LL and there is an

airport 20 miles away charging $5.21 per gal. An online search of current

fuel prices shows that throughout the six continental U.S. regions the

average price per gal 100LL is between $5.43 and $5.76. Is anyone aware of

any U.S. fixed glider operations paying $13 per gallon, or for that matter

any fixed operations that are paying in excess of $7?

I don't think anyone is talking about winches replacing 100% of aero tows. Each have their place.

Let's consider training for a moment. With aero tows getting more and more expensive, training tends to proceed with the minimum possible number of tows as instructors try to minimize costs for their students.

We may be paying a price for that in the number of landing accidents with people getting Private licenses with 40 - 60 total landings. (And some licensed pilots going for years with no more than 20 landings a year.)With the low costs of winch launch, instructors can really drill their students on landings and the rest of us can stay sharp.

Yes, it may not be practical to do all training maneuvers from a winch unless you can consistently get over 2000' AGL. However, most of the PP-G PTS maneuvers can easily be done from lower release heights. It isn't likely a training operation will want their students to get certificates with only a winch launch endorsements anyway.