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Using the same upper management decision-making logic recently posted by the SSA, I decided to reveal the decision making process for our new gliderport tow vehicle as follows:
White Paper
Subject: Replacement airport vehicle
From Tom Knauff
First, let me say the new airport vehicle used for pulling gliders around the gliderport as well as carrying various tools and people meets all requirements of the daily gliderport operations and will meet future needs.
Other alternatives would also work of course, however, there is no guarantee the less expensive products would work as well or operate at a lower cost.
The final cost is far more than originally budgeted, but is not out of line for similar equipment at other airports.
It appears the acquisition process could have been better managed, and other management personnel (Doris) were involved with the decision, at least at the earliest stage when Doris agreed to replace our 1950 something Chevy.
Please don't overlook the big picture. The new vehicle will serve us well and give an unmeasured prestige status among the soaring community.
Overview
Since 1975 we have had VWs, golf carts - gas and electric, riding mowers, tractors and various other vehicles for the purpose of pulling gliders around the glider field. Out latest vehicle, a 50's something Chevy died as the result of low water level during hot weather.
Considering the potential growth of Ridge Soaring Gliderport and the possibility, even slim as it is, that the FAA would make this an International airport someday, it was decided to purchase a vehicle for now and well into the future.
Tom discussed with Doris the possibility to purchase a new vehicle and estimated the cost to be somewhere near $200.
The Search
I contact several gliderports who seemed to have no vision for the future, then decided to contact Chicago O'Hare International Airport. They had just purchased new tow vehicles for pulling Boeing 747's and larger aircraft around their airfield.
The estimate for a used vehicle ($85,000) did not include any service agreement, so the manufacturer, Catapillar, agreed to furnish us a slightly used demonstrator for only $98,000.
As it turned out, another gliderport in Germany also found out of our plan and made this purchase behind our back, so we had absolutely no other choice but to buy a new one for $120,000
It turned out we could not afford to make the payments, but decided to raise tow fees 40% for SSA members because they don't seem to mind an increase in costs.
Addendumb
It should be pointed out that during this process we made a real friend with the Catapillar mechanic who is going to donate his time to paint all of our aircraft the same hideous yellow for a fraction of the cost he would normally charge.
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