Help me convince my wife..... :)

JP,
In most clubs, you are required to do some kind of duty as part of your club membrship. That has to be taken into account if you fly with various clubs.

Also. as Renny mentioned, club members will not be happy with you if you "prang" one of their gliders and take it out of flying status for the season.

Another consideration is that you will never have access to the glider you want to fly on the really good days because other members will be clamoring to fly that particular glider too, especially if it's relatively high performance.

To reiterate what Renny said, you need to be very familiar with a glider if you are going to do any serious XC safely. Switching gliders could get you in serious trouble in high stress situations like landing out. "What side is the gear actuation handle?"

I have never regreted buying my own glider. After 15 years I could sell it for the same amount paid 15 years ago.

Chuck Zabinski
"ZC"

Maybe you should make it a fair deal - offer to buy her an equivalent gift.

Then give her a new Cobra to follow you around with!

Cheers Ben...always seeking equality in gliding

On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 5:39:55 PM UTC-7, Ben Coleman wrote:
Maybe you should make it a fair deal - offer to buy her an equivalent gift.

On Monday, 23 May 2016 18:51:21 UTC-6, Ramy wrote:
On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 5:39:55 PM UTC-7, Ben Coleman wrote:
Maybe you should make it a fair deal - offer to buy her an equivalent gift.

Then give her a new Cobra to follow you around with!

Cheers Ben...always seeking equality in gliding

A new Cobra and a nice SUV that is...

I started flying gliders believing that I'll be able to fly wherever and whenever I want by joining clubs, just as I used to when I flew hang gliders. I joined at least 4 clubs/FBO's in my first year but quickly realized that if I am serious about soaring, owning my own glider is the only way to go. With very few exceptions in the US (BASA is one of them), non owners club members rarely get to fly cross country or even get significant soaring time.

Ramy

What Ramy and others have said. clubs are not a path for cheap access to glider rentals. Much behind the scene activities occur at clubs to allow people to learn, fly and mentor others. There are only a few commercial operations around the US that have the resources or ability to maintain a rental pool.

Time to pay the piper

Time to pay the Piper.. I had to laugh. Coincidentally.. my name.

My wife is frugal, and would never let me buy her a toy. She's got the cash sitting in the bank for her next vehicle.. hers turns 10 this year.

I haven't gotten her out to the field to check it out yet. She has less than zero interest in going for a glider ride.

We'll see what my potential syndicate partner says. You never know who's gonna come out of the woodwork when you start talking about sharing a good toy.

JP

There's another hiccup. Others suggest "your own glider", I agree if you're going to take it away for weeks at a time.
A partner might want to fly it too.
Jim


On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 6:41:08 PM UTC-7, wrote:
We'll see what my potential syndicate partner says. You never know who's gonna come out of the woodwork when you start talking about sharing a good toy.

JP

On Tuesday, 24 May 2016 11:21:56 UTC+9:30, JS wrote:
There's another hiccup. Others suggest "your own glider", I agree if you're going to take it away for weeks at a time.
A partner might want to fly it too.
Jim


On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 6:41:08 PM UTC-7, wrote:
We'll see what my potential syndicate partner says. You never know who's gonna come out of the woodwork when you start talking about sharing a good toy.

JP

They tell me choosing the right partner is key. Someone with sufficient funds, a similar mindset and no time to fly.

Someone asked me recently if I would buy half a glider with them. I clearly need to fly more!!

Cheers Ben

On Monday, May 23, 2016 at 9:51:56 PM UTC-4, JS wrote:
There's another hiccup. Others suggest "your own glider", I agree if you're going to take it away for weeks at a time.
A partner might want to fly it too.
Jim


True.. but being in New England I was thinking more of traveling in the 'off' season. I think it's likely that a syndicate partner could work it out so that you BOTH had a chance to fly it somewhere else. Maybe leave the tow vehicle there and let the other person tow one way.

yes... the right partner is key. I always joke that 'partners are for dancing' however with the purchase price in the area I'm looking at, it's either wait a few years, or get a partner. Honestly.. flying a whole bunch in the 1-35 isn't that bad of an option. I just don't plan on going anywhere with it. It's not too hard to rig, but a little bit of a chore.

JP