"I fully intend to be gliding well into my 70s as, I
suspect, do most of my age cohort. At the current rate of decline in
gliding, that may well not be possible - and it certainly will not be
possible if we "just go gliding"".
"Yikes - my intention was to convey the idea that we should all
contribute to gliding so that it will last way past my lifetime!"
Sorry Robert, but on the words that still reads to me that you are hoping.
Chris McDonnell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Hart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia."
<[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 10:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] numbers
Christopher Mc Donnell wrote:
My son, who is in Brisbane, thought he might get back into gliding but
the aircraft tariffs were enough to scare him away from the idea and he
earns relativly well. Gliding is definitly shifting across the
socio/economic spectrum and the sort of people who could afford it are
such that they would not put up with the conditions at most gliding clubs
in the consumer society of today anyway.
That is what clubs are for - to allow the cost of expensive gliders to be
amortised across a wider group than just an individual or syndicate. There
are a number of clubs in the Brisbane region that have some quite hot
ships online. Beyond that however, you do not have to buy the "latest and
greatest" glider. A Libelle will cost less than a new Ford or whatever -
and (were she on the market) Alice would cost you less than a new SUV.
In fact, the aircraft you are flying is only a very small part of the
overall performance of the pilot/glider combination. I reckon it is going
to take me at least five more years to get to the point where Alice's
limitiations will become as important on the overall result of my flying
as my lack of skills and execution. Even so, Alice has managed to help me
to achieve second place overall for several days in two recent comps - but
then my inabilities and inconsistencies kicked in and we dropped like a
stone!
This is one great advantage of the handicap system, even up in open class!
I would advise your son to go visit the clubs in the Brisbane environs and
pick one!
I agree with Robert Hart's comments a few moments ago, but he, like me,
seems to also be hoping that the sport will last long enough to see him
out.
Yikes - my intention was to convey the idea that we should all contribute
to gliding so that it will last way past my lifetime!
--
Robert Hart [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+61 (0)438 385 533 http://www.hart.wattle.id.au
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