nosmo@pyuxqq.UUCP (P Valdata) (11/29/83)
Helicopter lessons are available but usually are much more costly than fixed wing lessons--I have heard prices around $100/hour. Fixed wing lessons usually end up costing less than half that. If you've never flown before you might consider a few lessons in a glider (no throttle to fuss with). Glider lessons are usually $25-35/hour. The Soaring Society of America can give information on soaring in any local area. Their address is Box 66071, Los Angeles, CA 90066. Happy flying! Pat
sutter@osu-dbs.UUCP (12/01/83)
To be reduntant but a little more optimistic: The best way to fly dirt-cheap is throttleless. That is, look into soaring. A previous posting described costs much lower than those for power. In fact, I was amazed at how high those were. They must have been for a commercial operation. If you want to cut it to a fraction of even that, join a club (which SSA can also point you toward). In my club, I rent a sailplane (Schweizer 2-33 trainer, 1-26 mild performance, or 1-34 mid-range performance) for $8.50 per flight. This includes flight time, tow to 2000 feet AGL, insurance, and I don't know what all else. Instruction, provided by club members, runs a token $2.00 per flight. BTW, a "flight" can be anywhere from 13 minutes on a dead day to all afternoon and into the evening, if the thermals are popping. On weekends, though, we are restricted to under an hour per flight since other people are waiting to use the aircraft. Any other sailplane pilots out there? Any reviews of good/bad places to spend a soaring vacation? Are all the great things they say about Ridge Soaring, Black Forest, Estrella, Hobbs, Bishop, etc. really true? I will soon be ready to start expanding my horizons from flatlands central-Ohio into some more interesting conditions. Ridge will probably be the first, but I want to know about more. Climbing Quietly, Bob -- Human: Bob Sutterfield Usenet: sutter@...cbosgd!osu-dbs Workplace: Advanced Design Methods Laboratory, Ohio State University MaBell: (614)422-4669 or -4691
Gobbel.pa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA (12/06/83)
From: Randy Gobbel <Gobbel.pa@PARC-MAXC.ARPA> I had my first sailplane ride at Ridge Soaring, and sure enough it's wonderful - the place is immaculate, the equipment is among the best you'll find, and Tom Knauff and Doris Grove are really great hosts as well as great soaring pilots. Among other places, especially if you're going to be renting, I think the hands-down winner in this country must be Minden, Nevada. Summer thermals will frequently take you right up to 17,999', often from only a 1500' tow, and winter and spring wave (and high-altitude window) is right over the field, with numerous Diamond altitude climbs every year. The rental fleets (there are three FBO's on the field) include: 2-33, 1-26, Standard Cirrus, Open Cirrus, LS3, Ventus B/Turbo, DG-400, Lark, Janus, Twin Astir, Pilatus, Club Libelle, Mini-Nimbus, Kestrel 17, Nimbus 2, and the world's only rental Nimbus 3. I'm currently working my way up to the Nimbus 3, starting with the Mini-Nimbus. This is not a complete list, and most of the others are also high-performance glass ships. Their experience requirements are surprisingly lenient. Rates for the glass ships are higher than you'd expect for a 1-26, but 25% more money for 95% more performance seems like a good deal to me. Another place I like a lot is Tehachapi, California, with excellent conditions, well-maintained Schweizer equipment, and the cheapest rates I've seen. I think they also have some glass for rent now as well. -Randy