I've cut the pictures from old soaring calendars and used spray adhesive to
mount two per poster board. These can then be displayed gallery style by
taping them to the trailer side or placed on the grass, tarmac, or floor
just inside the rope barrier (this also helps keep people at bay) so they
can see gliders in all sorts of flight situations.

Which university?

Frank
Colorado

"C Koenig" wrote in message
oups.com...
Dave - You have received a lot of good suggestions, I would like to
offer a few as well - all static display comments. Depending on the
circumstances of course, plan to assemble or disassemble with an
audience. This is a big hit at fly-ins, and camps (space, boy
scouts...) Keep the trailer somewhere where you can at least point it
out. Better yet is to have it open with your gear set for display. I
carry a shortened tow rope, and hook it to the glider for a prop. -
easier to explain when it is there. I also have four pictures - aero -
winch - auto - and bunjee. The bunjee is in B&W which seems to
reassure some people. If the glider does not have cushions in the
seatpan - put some in - or place the parachute in if you don't plan on
allowing people to sit in the plane. People commented a lot about how
uncomfortable it looked until I did this. If you do allow people to
sit in the plane, perform a mini ground course/cockpit check. (oh and
put the canopy in the trailer!) Buckle them in emphasizing low and
across the hips, then shoulder belts. Let them move the stick and
rudder - show how you have to move the controls in symetry to fly the
plane. Ask them to speed up, slow down, perform a turn to the right I
use my hand to show the roll, pitch and yaw as they move the controlls
so they have some feedback. The biggest thrill seems to be pulling the
dive brakes - as somebody already mentioned something can actally be
seen then. I also carry a picture of a thermal and wave - wave is
difficult to explain but most people have seen a thermal and the
beautiful cu at the top. Having kids around helping is a good draw -
my kids love telling people about how their mom flys gliders and the
places they have been - not to mention when they tell these people they
have flown in one. (my kids are 6 and 8) Hand out flyers, and put
YOUR name and phone number (or email address). People don't want
another cold start in soaring with more strangers - they want to start
with the person they met and liked at the show. Even if you are there
just to pass them to the next person for a demo ride - they will feel
good that your interest was not just at the event.

Showing gliders at events is rewarding. I love showing people about
this sport - over the past two years have had over 120 kids/teens sit
in the cockpit of my Cirrus. One teen sent me an email - he is going
to college in Colorado because there is a glider club close by. I have
also had teens stop to talk to me in the mall because they remembered
me - and to hear them telling their friends about the glider and soring
is just... well.. worth every minute I have spent doing this.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Colleen Koenig