Ooops, sorry, Chris N! meant to address the mention of Booker to the OP, r44heli.
And if you think glider pilots vs. GA vs. microlites etc is a problem, wait until you get involved in your local club politics! o dear.
I have a theory. In order to have the confidence to be a solo pilot, you are most likely to have a robust ego, and be of the male gender. Amazing that the human race has ever managed to cooperate at all, but we do. Nevertheless primitive emotions arise when strangers trespass on our tribal territory.....Enstone has been livid when glider pilots thermal away from the approach; any club running a winch operation wonders if the PA28 wandering through their overhead is aware we might have just launched a heavy two-seater and a braided steel wire is strung between it and the winch....the glider in such case has a very limited view because its nose is up in the air and the flight path near as dammit is vertical.
But we always welcome visitors from the dark side. PPR.
I have the impression that most power operations are commercial, certainly in the US of A most gliding clubs are commercial (that's why they don't usually let you fly their gliders x-country). To expect volunteers to do all the work in your gliding club....well, it is sad but true that a certain number will be too busy to help out.....amazing how many DO help out, but always the same old few. Perhaps all flying clubs should be operated on a commercial basis; the only sure way to get most people to work is to pay them.
In effect, r44heli, power pilots who have the opportunity to tow up gliders manage to rack up quite a few hours and a lot of takeoffs and landings, which to any pilot interested in hourbuilding has a certain value. It is not usually difficult finding a tuggie, they fight for the privilege....
Last edited by mary meagher; 26th Mar 2012 at 12:19.
Reason: extra paragraph