Soaring had a survey, and I filled it out. I suggested
the covers be more exciting and varied. Gliders doing
aerobatics, parachutists out of gliders, motorgliders
towing another glider, glider formations doing aerobatics,
big gaggles, thermalling with a paraglider or hangglider,
multi-tow with three gliders, auto-tow launch, etc. The
kind of stuff that ISN'T a picture of a white glider
and "scenery."

Two of my club's best "new to us" pilots are
former hang glider pilots who have switched to rigid wing
and enclosed cockpit. Yep they're 50+, but it seems
like a natural progression. But to get younger
glider pilots, more exciting stuff is needed.
Get some exciting Soaring covers, vary it up a bit at your
club, go wild! Perhaps a Soaring Rave?

In article 4z0cc.180937$1p.2147846@attbi_s54,
Shawn Curry wrote:
Jack wrote:

You are right. I wish I knew the people involved. I hope that when she reads
it in the magazine she is gratified that the writer is happy for her and
that the world now knows of her accomplishments. You and I enjoy
deconstructing this sort of thing. Many folks don't bother, but give
everybody the benefit of the doubt -- but not, of course, here on the NGs

I seem to recall asking "Is it just me..."
Maybe it is. As for "deconstructing" There's not much deconstruction
involved in figuring out "All the credit goes to Bobbi's instructors".
That's either poor form, or an inside joke that doesn't translate well
to a nationally publicised magazine. But maybe that's just me.

Just don't get me started on "Gray hairs on parade" in the coverage of
the SSA annual awards.


How's recruitment going out there? Our club has jumped over 30 percent this
year, and some of the Friendly New Guys (and Gals) actually have all their
hair. I wish I'd started this soaring stuff when I still did.

The reason for my post was to comment (a lot of that on NGs if you
haven't noticed) how Soaring Magazine represents soaring the sport. I
felt they stumbled this month. I think I was surprised because its
improved so much over the last year or so.

Shawn


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Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA