I've been advocating to regional directors of both organizations that a
merger would be a sound step. Are there reasons not to have a single
organization that represents a continuous range of soaring pilots, from
the paragliders up through the open class sailplanes? Both SSA and
USHGA could benefit, if through nothing other than sharing office
space/expenses, annual expos, and printing costs.

I think it would be a real win for the SSA in that the SSA would gain
access to a pool of soaring pilots ready to step up to higher
performance. This pool already includes pilots who know how to soar,
are absolutely in love with soaring, and have structured their leisure
time around soarable weather.

High end hang gliders already approach $8k (not to mention the $$$ 4wd
truck you need to get it up on top of the hill), so it would only take
two or three HG pilots to form a partnership and get started.

It couldn't hurt FBOs to have a new stream of students and renters
either, and some FBOs might also be able to add a stationary winch or
ultralight tug just to service the HG population.

I think both organizations have about the same number of dues paying
members, but there may be many more HG pilots who aren't USHGA members,
than there are sailplane pilots who aren't SSA members.

My own perception is that majorities of each group look down their noses
at the other group, not recognizing how much they have in common.

One downside is there would only need to be a single Executive Director,
fewer Regional Directors, and less office staff.

Ken

In article .com,
wrote:


Bad Decision #2, The hang gliders came to us and wanted to join as a
division of the SSA. What did we say? No way------we don't wan't
anything to do with those uncertified things, why ther're nothing but
lawn chairs hung under bed sheets. What did the hang gliders do? They
formed their own association and I believe they have something like 4
times the membership we now enjoy (11,306)

JJ Sinclair