On Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00:32 AM UTC-6, wrote:
Jamie Shore, this is a good question so I dug out my log books and did some sorting and counting. Prospective members at our club usually ask about the costs and I must admit that I probably estimated too low at present costs.



I started my soaring journey in 1994 at the age of 54.



Soloed after 52 flights in SGS 2-33

Got my private license after 92 more flights.

The average tow height was 2,424 feet.

Total flights to license 144



102 flights in a SGS 2-33

38 Flights in a SGS 1-26

4 flights in a Blanik L13 (Our Club requires spin training before sign-off for license.)



Present Costs at our glider club for tows is $18/1000 ft and a $2.50 Hook up charge. This would amount to $6,643 for Tows. There is no charge for Glider Usage.



Initiation Fee $500

Monthly fees $55/mo (for 12 months in my case) = $660

Tows & Hookup Charges $6,643

Books and Study material $100

FAA Written Test - $150

FAA Practical Exam - $0 (Our Club had a DPE who didn't charge club members)



Total to license at present costs at our club would be $8,103.

(Tow Costs in 1994/1995 were about half of what they are presently)



Our present club fleet consists of an ASK21, Blanik L13AC, Grob 102 Astir, SGS 1-26A.



Presently flying a Hph 304CZ and have about 1,200 hours.



Charles Zabinski

Finger Lakes Soaring Club

Dansville, NY

Mid-winter 1960, Lake Elsinore, California. 6 tows in a LK-10A to solo. (No prior flight experience whatsoever.) I then flew LK's, Pratt-Reads, TG-2's and 1-26's for a year before taking the PPG check ride in a 1-26 with an FAA examiner watching from the ground.

With all that experience under my belt, I polished up my skills with a CFII then took a "one fits all" Commercial, Glider + Airplane + Instrument check ride. The FAA examiner didn't seem to mind that most of my experience was in gliders.