Marc Ramsey wrote:

The price of new gliders affects all of us. If a significant portion of
those who would normally buy new gliders stop, then they don't sell
their old ships, which means those who would have traded up to the newer
used gliders, hold on to their older used gliders, etc., ultimately
raising the price of a smaller number of decent lower cost gliders that
end up on the market.

Yes, I've heard the Mantra before. I don't believe that's the real problem.

There are 1-26s on the market for a few thousand. These and other low
performance ships are what new guys and gals should be buying and flying. If
those with more lofty aspirations gave the entry level ships their due around
the campfire instead of disparaging them, it might help retention of new glider
pilots who are not blessed with deep pockets.

The availability of $100,000+ ships is not going to save soaring in N. America.
Newbies don't invest in Deutsche-glass while paying off their student loans. The
availability of a new generation of low to moderate priced N. American ships to
which beginners can actually aspire is more likely to be the answer to our
prayers -- if we can hangar our sophomoric lust for dream-ships whose potential
99% of us will never reach.

Let's spend our money where it counts -- on tows and trailers and training and
practice, practice, practice.



Jack