On Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 9:43:07 PM UTC+3, gotovkotzepkoi wrote:
;930541 Wrote:
Not to steal the spotlight from the amazing videos that Bruno does, but
I just ran across this one made by a few of our Embry Riddle students in
Prescott Soaring. Well done I thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdU2ujVPoNc

This video is a long way from stealing anyone's thunder. I would not
show it to a potential pilot: antique glider, sun blasted desert,
uninspiring footage.

That's a bit harsh.

I agree, the glider and other equipment are fairly ancient and dilapidated, but my biggest criticism is that it gives the impression that gliding is about sled rides.

Probably for many people the mere idea of getting your feet off the ground and being in control of a flying craft is attractive enough to get started.

This video has the huge benefit that the whole exercise looks affordable, and like an achievable goal for someone starting from zero.

I love seeing skilled pilots travelling hundreds of km through gnarly mountains in sleek machines. But for I'd say 99% of people it looks as if you have to be both a millionaire and a genius -- and they know they aren't either of those and are put off, not inspired.

In reality, of course, there is a vast middle ground with affordable older (but still nice looking and well performing) aircraft such as Grobs, Libelles etc that lets normal people build up from being a beginner to flying 300 km maybe an hour slower than the bank-breaking stuff.

But how to communicate that?