(glen beckham) wrote in message . com...
It seems to me that the ASA is just a private little racing club for
those with expensive sailplanes.In my opinion the reason many people
drop out of soaring after getting a license, is that there is no place
to fly other then commercial operations which are more expensive and
are focused on other things.It seems the ASA could pattern itself
after the texas soaring assoc. or tucson's soaring club.

If you are interested in knowing how ASA evolved and became the
Association (not Club)it is today, may I suggest you purchase a copy
of Collected Classics of Soaring. It is available for only $20 plus
$3 shipping via the ASA web site at http://www.asa-soaring.org/.

ASA has about 80 members only a very small number of which own
"expensive sailplanes"

I have been an active member of ASA for about 18 years, for all but 2
of those years I participated in the ASA contest series in old
sailplanes, initially a Standard Jantar and then an ASW-19b. I placed
in the top 3 many times. The contest series is handicapped and caters
for experienced racers and beginning cross coutry pilots. You could
bring the cheapest glider you like and fly our B class contest and
probably take home a trophy if you are any good. If you don't have a
cheap glider you can fly our G102 very inexpensively if you are
qualified.

We are not private or exclusive. You can come and join us for only
$35 per year.


Andy Durbin (GY)