On Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 12:08:02 PM UTC-6, wrote:
I am looking to buy my first glider and wanted to get some feedback on total cost of ownership. Excluding tow fees and club membership fees, what do you typically spend on insurance, annuals, spare parts, etc.?

Looking to buy an ASW20, Discus B, Discus CS, LS3, LS4, DG-202, DG-300, etc. Trying to get a good quality ship for under $30K. Thanks

You ask a good question, but a lot has to do with where you fly and where you are going to keep your glider. You may want to ask others who fly where you fly to get an idea of their various expenses. To me here are the some basic expenses to consider..

1. Tiedown fees for trailer - For some locations there is 0 expense. At Moriarty, NM the charge is $200. year.
2. Hangar costs - If it will be kept assembled (or in a trailer) in a hangar it can be sizable....
3. Insurance - If you are in the US you may want to call Costello and perhaps other companies for a quote or ask your friends.
4. Annual - Costs can vary all over in the US, but could easily be $100 to $200 (maybe more) if there are no issues.
5. Parachute repack - Needed normally twice a year in this US and this could easily be $ 50 - $60 or more per repack
6. Oxygen - If you fly out especially out west this will be another expense..
7. Maintenance - Depending on the overall condition of your ship it can be minimal in any particular year, but in another year it can be several hundred USD if you need a tire or even minor touch up work....
8. There is also the cost of money to consider. Will you have to take a loan? If you have the funds there is the opportunity cost of not having the money invested.

Now, this all being said....You can compare all of this against having to rent a ship and the many limitations you face in renting whether from a commercial operator or when using a club ship. The benefits of having your own ship are many and sometimes the hard benefits are somewhat difficult to quantify, but they can be very worth owning..(and indeed, I have owned 6 gliders over the years!)

Again, the KEY is to check with local pilot friends to see what they are actually having to pay for various services wherever you live and fly. Every location can be very unique in the expenses you will have to pay.

Good luck!

Thx - Renny