Caddo Mills SW Soaring Closing 31 Dec

This is sad news.

However, there might be a silver lining. This may be the time to look
into establishing winch launches as the primary means of launching.

I would be cheaper for the operator and the pilots to operate.

I don't know the math, but the fixed costs of a tow plane, even if
idle, must be much higher than that of an idle winch.

The per launch costs are also a fraction of the aero tow.

What I am saying is that perhaps the way to revive more soaring
activity and at the same time provide better operating economics for
the operator, is to get a winch and ditch the tow plane.

With the ever popular self launching capable and sustainer engined
sailplanes, these will not need a tow plane anyway.

However, as I see in Europe, the sheer cheapness and fun of a winch
launch is taken advantage of even by the self launchers.

With the new modern cables, launch height should be about 45% of the
cable length in a no wind launch. So if Caddo Mills has 4,000 feet
runways and an equal length cable, 1,800 foot release heights should
routinely be achieved with no wind. One manufacturer calculates the
per launch costs including amortization of all equipment, cables and
all, at less than $3 per launch.

So even if the operator charged $15 per launch or $10 for early am and
late pm launches and higher price for peak times, it would still be
massively cheaper for all and more profitable for the operator than
with a tow plane, due to the reduced costs and increased launches.

There is a reason why Soaring in Europe is vibrant with many young
people and mostly winch launches. Here in the U.S. the opposite seems
to be the case. Perhaps we should follow a model that is successful,
as painful as change may be. Rather than sticking to one that is
inferior. Primarily offering only tow planes for launches is hampering
soaring here.

There are used double drum winches for sale in Europe for about 15-20k
USD.

This is my 2cents. Though not an offer to buy, maybe it can be helpful
anyway.
Tom