Originally Posted by
glider12000
Nice looking machine, tend not too see many of them over this side of the atlantic..
Thanks. They only built about 101 of them, good in their day but can't really match the performance of glass. But at 400 lbs empty, 36:1 glide ratio, its a great recreational machine with ability to do x-c and thermals great. Plus it's metal, so I can tie it out. On a nice day when I decide to play hooky from work, I have a 10 minute drive to the field, preflight, bs with my buddies a little, get in line, and I can be airborne within 40 minutes after leaving my desk. I only assemble once per season.
Originally Posted by RatherBeFlying
For a student, gliders can be more expensive than power flying.
There is truth in this, but in the long run it can be a lot cheaper. I like to fly at least 2.3 hours a clip, mostly because our tow fee to 2000' is $23. At 2.3 hours that is $10/hour, or what my Dad used to pay for a Beech Debonair way back when. Cheap. Of course you have to factor in insurance costs to come up with a real hourly cost, but why spoil the fun.
-- IFMU