US Dollar sinks to new low against Euro

The US dollar is now valued close to 0.75 Euro, down from its peak of
1.25 a couple of years ago. Analysts say it may go even lower, with
some projecting exchange rates of 0.7 (1.4 dollar to the Euro).

This has pretty much put the kibosh on my goals of buying a new
European sailplane. A model at, say, Euro 85,000 cost around $70,000
a couple of years ago, is now around $110,000 and may soon be at
$120,000.

Economic models would suggest a strong incentive for sailplane
manufacture in North America, but I wonder if the numbers of potential
sales would justify this.

Any thoughts?

Well based here in the UK, it looks like your going to get the sort of deal
we are used to over here.

Your prices are normally the same in dollars as they are to us in GBP, which
means at least a 50% increase. I see this in my Amateur radio equipment
as well.

May be the end of cheapness is on its way to you, welcome to the club!!

Malcolm...



"Mike Stringfellow" wrote in message
om...
The US dollar is now valued close to 0.75 Euro, down from its peak of
1.25 a couple of years ago. Analysts say it may go even lower, with
some projecting exchange rates of 0.7 (1.4 dollar to the Euro).

This has pretty much put the kibosh on my goals of buying a new
European sailplane. A model at, say, Euro 85,000 cost around $70,000
a couple of years ago, is now around $110,000 and may soon be at
$120,000.

Economic models would suggest a strong incentive for sailplane
manufacture in North America, but I wonder if the numbers of potential
sales would justify this.

Any thoughts?

Mike,

Classic economic theory suggests that you are absolutely correct: the very weak
dollar would also lead to additional exports of US-manufactured sailplanes.
But by the time a manufacturer would have developed the plane, gone through all
the hoops for certification, etc...to satisfy a fairly small domestic demand,
who knows if the greenback will not have bounced back, and rendered the initial
plan moot and incorrect? Besides, given the flak which comes up everytime the
PW-5 is mentioned, who would risk come up with a "modern" sailplane design and
satisfy all the inevitable criticism. Few companies would be willing to invest
that much $$$ for a questionable return.

Cheers, Charles

"Vorsanger1" wrote in message
...
Mike,

Classic economic theory suggests that you are absolutely correct: the very
weak
dollar would also lead to additional exports of US-manufactured
sailplanes.
But by the time a manufacturer would have developed the plane, gone
through all
the hoops for certification, etc...to satisfy a fairly small domestic
demand,
who knows if the greenback will not have bounced back, and rendered the
initial
plan moot and incorrect? Besides, given the flak which comes up
everytime the
PW-5 is mentioned, who would risk come up with a "modern" sailplane design
and
satisfy all the inevitable criticism. Few companies would be willing to
invest
that much $$$ for a questionable return.

Cheers, Charles

Ah shucks, I was figuring DG would outsource LS-4 production to US.

Frank

On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 20:10:42 -0700, "F.L. Whiteley"
wrote:


Ah shucks, I was figuring DG would outsource LS-4 production to US.

Talking about the LS-4b: It's back in production (by Walter Eisele, a
well-known german glider pilot), now called LS-4/2005.

Price is 39.400 Euro, complete with retractable gear and water bags.
Winglets are optional.

Lots of bang for the buck if you ask me.



Bye
Andreas

Good news -- but you could buy a PW-6U two-seater for 41,200 Euro and
have the pleasure of flying friends, eh?

Talking about the LS-4b: It's back in production (by Walter Eisele, a
well-known german glider pilot), now called LS-4/2005.

Price is 39.400 Euro, complete with retractable gear and water bags.
Winglets are optional.

Lots of bang for the buck if you ask me.



Bye
Andreas

or if you add winglets to the LS4 you would be only a few euro short of
buying a new LS8a.

"Charles Yeates" wrote in message
...
Good news -- but you could buy a PW-6U two-seater for 41,200 Euro and
have the pleasure of flying friends, eh?

Talking about the LS-4b: It's back in production (by Walter Eisele, a
well-known german glider pilot), now called LS-4/2005.

Price is 39.400 Euro, complete with retractable gear and water bags.
Winglets are optional.

Lots of bang for the buck if you ask me.



Bye
Andreas

Uzytkownik "Andreas Maurer" napisal w wiadomosci
...
On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 20:10:42 -0700, "F.L. Whiteley"
wrote:


Ah shucks, I was figuring DG would outsource LS-4 production to US.

Talking about the LS-4b: It's back in production (by Walter Eisele, a
well-known german glider pilot), now called LS-4/2005.

Price is 39.400 Euro, complete with retractable gear and water bags.
Winglets are optional.

Well, if we talk about money...

SZD-55, also back in production, but much more modern design than LS-4 (some
ten years younger)
Price: 34.990 Euro, so the buyer still has 4.500Euro in his pocket, and a
more modern glider in the hangar.
I would just count if the 'LS' on the side of the cockpit is worth
4.500Euro.
The '55' price list: http://www.szd.com.pl/downloads/01-551.html

Lots of bang for a buck, isn't it?

Regards,


--
Janusz Kesik
Poland

-------------------------------------
See Wroclaw (Breslau) in photography,
The XIX Century, the Festung Breslau, and photos taken today.
http://www.wroclaw.dolny.slask.pl

Janusz Kesik wrote:

SZD-55, also back in production, but much more modern design than LS-4 (some
ten years younger)

Meaning what exactly in terms of L/D, ease of use, build quality etc.
Seriously, i have never seen a SZD-55 i have no a priori.

Lots of bang for a buck, isn't it?


Depends on the answer to the above question. I know for sure the LS4
is an excellent glider. I know nothing about the polish one.

--

Michel TALON

Andreas Maurer wrote:
On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 20:10:42 -0700, "F.L. Whiteley"
wrote:


Ah shucks, I was figuring DG would outsource LS-4 production to US.

Talking about the LS-4b: It's back in production (by Walter Eisele, a
well-known german glider pilot), now called LS-4/2005.

Price is 39.400 Euro, complete with retractable gear and water bags.
Winglets are optional.

Lots of bang for the buck if you ask me.



Wow! This is the thing i hoped. Indeed i can only agree with you, this
is the best bang for the bug one can find at present.


Bye
Andreas

--

Michel TALON