DMarley wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:20 pm
Why purchase new when there are tons of good, nearly-new, previously owned falcons out there on the market?!?
Your first glider doesn't need to be 'brand' new, and it probably shouldn't. Save up for a new Sport III for when you're ready for it.
If you're itching to spend your hard-earned cash on new stuff, then purchase a good helmet. Everything else can be second-hand at this point and second hand equipment will save you a pile. And.... you won't be quite as timid with less-expensive gear. Once you get your H3, then start dreaming about a new glider, etc. Hell.... even then, there are plenty of great buys out there if you look.
Yeah, purchase a new glider when your at the point of needing a topless, but I would save my money on everything less than that.... you can upgrade a lot faster that way.
Most good pilots didn't go out and spend big$ on new equipment right away.... unless they had an unquenchable desire to help keep Wills Wing and Co. out of the red.
I appreciate the intent of your advice, but if you saw my bike racing budget and expenditures for 2012/13 you wouldn't know whether to s--- a brick or smack me. I can afford a new Falcon 4, then a new Sport 3, and then a new T2-C whenever I choose to buy them. The thing is, and the reason I drive ride share, is that I put the majority of my disposable income into investment accounts. So if I want 'fun' money to buy myself toys I force myself to go out and put the extra work in.
If I saw a used wing that I like posted for sale I would buy it. So far, the only used wing that suits my fancy has been sold. If another one comes up, maybe... otherwise, I'm at the point in my life where I buy the things that I like and that add the greatest value to my experience. So right now, I just want the Wing that will be in the colors and sail cloth that I choose. More expensive, sure... but life is short. I could drive a Lexus, BMW, or Audi if I wanted to. Instead I choose to invest as much as I can while I drive a used VW and a beat up Chevy Truck, then I go work even harder for the things I want rather than need.