OscarCVox wrote:

When the PW5 was first available in the Uk another glider made by the same
manufacturer with better performance and only about 1000 pounds more was
available - the Junior. 15M, a proper looking glider, and rated by Derek Piggot
as one of the best gliders for an early solo pilot.
Why was this not considered? Because it couldnt be kit built and was 15m.


Now compare the amount of depreciation on the PW5 and the Junior. The Junior
holds its value better because it is more useable, robust, better performance
and better looking.
The PW5 has failed on one of its main criteria for the World Class- cost. Yes
it is fairly cheap to buy new, but nobody is going to be happy with 50%
depreciation over 5 years. If you compare total cost of ownership over that
period including finance costs to buy, running costs, depreciation ease of sale
etc., you will find quite a number of new gliders that are cheaper, and more
desirable.

OK sharpen your knives to disect this argument. :-)

The committees didn't have depreciation data on a PW5 in the mid-80s,
when this process was started.

There was considerable interest in the idea at the time, with 20+
initial entrants. It is easy to suggest changes after the experiment is
carried out, hard to design the next one to appeal to people who will be
in the sport 10 or 15 years from now.


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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA