Getting new members

One of our members is a high school teacher. He worked things out
with the school to take a field trip to our gliderport for
introductory rides. And, as luck would have it, the day they came out
to fly was a spectacular soaring day! How often does that happen?
And they even got the story to one of the local stations. Caught a
glimpse of the footage while at the gym, and found the story this
evening. Enjoy!

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/M...121362149.html

Thanks to John Peters for the students, Bob Holliday for the rides,
and I am going to guess Bob Hall for the towing?

Steve Leonard
Wichita Soaring Association

I tried to do this at the high school located on Edwards AFB (of all
places) with the physics class (of all things) that I taught/teach
using the flight school that the USAF Test Pilot School contracts with
and whom I have worked with for more than 25 years. School management
and their lawyers went completely apoplectic. The students, their
parent, and I had to sign all sorts of documents that we would never
do such a thing nor speak of flying ever again in class. I recall
that we were also forbidden to even think about it, at least in
school.

On 5-6-2011 06:59, wrote:

I tried to do this at the high school located on Edwards AFB (of all
places) with the physics class (of all things) that I taught/teach
using the flight school that the USAF Test Pilot School contracts with
and whom I have worked with for more than 25 years. School management
and their lawyers went completely apoplectic. The students, their
parent, and I had to sign all sorts of documents that we would never
do such a thing nor speak of flying ever again in class. I recall
that we were also forbidden to even think about it, at least in
school.



SarcasmWell, I guess the Air Force doesn't need pilots anymore, so no
use getting people interested in flying./Sarcasm Tell me it ain't so!!

On May 6, 3:42*am, Scott wrote:
On 5-6-2011 06:59, wrote:

SarcasmWell, I guess the Air Force doesn't need pilots anymore, so no
use getting people interested in flying./Sarcasm *Tell me it ain't so!!

Scott, the Air Force doesn't run the schools on it's bases - they are
run by civilians (and lawyers - not sure what they are) working for
the DoD.

So if you want to say that educators and lawyers think the Air Force
doesn't need pilots anymore, your sarcasm will be a little closer to
reality.

Kirk

Same thing when I worked for Lockheed (before the mergers). I was not
allowed to fly for company business. Fear of the headlines - FLAMING
LOCKHEED EMPLOYEES RAIN DOWN ON YUPPIE DAY CARE CENTER. And the CEO at the
time was an SSA member...


"Scott" wrote in message
.. .
On 5-6-2011 06:59, wrote:

I tried to do this at the high school located on Edwards AFB (of all
places) with the physics class (of all things) that I taught/teach
using the flight school that the USAF Test Pilot School contracts with
and whom I have worked with for more than 25 years. School management
and their lawyers went completely apoplectic. The students, their
parent, and I had to sign all sorts of documents that we would never
do such a thing nor speak of flying ever again in class. I recall
that we were also forbidden to even think about it, at least in
school.



SarcasmWell, I guess the Air Force doesn't need pilots anymore, so no
use getting people interested in flying./Sarcasm Tell me it ain't so!!

I've approached my school administration for permission to take my
students soaring. No Joy Liability issues.

Thing thing is, I teach a Special Needs class... and I run the local
chapter of Freedom's Wings Canada, a charity that gives FREE
inspiration flights in the disabled community and certain of the
special needs groups (such as my class). I could have gotten them
flown for just the cost of the bus transportation.

Whenever I'm with other Special Needs teachers, I tell them about the
programme... the parents may bring their kids on their own volition.

For those interested or curious about our programme, visit
www.freedomswings.ca

-John

Great job!

To the others...if at first you don't succeed, try try again.

There is always a way. Find fun in leaping the hurtles.

LT

The school on EDW is not D.O.D. but a CA public school wholly enclosed
on the base. It is a very high-achieving place with world-class
students and I would never consider teaching elsewhere. Almost
"Zero" kids at EDW are interested in aviation or flying. I attribute
it to the "if Dad/Mom do it, it can't be cool" syndrome. Very sad but
predictable.

The kids and I may have "worked it out" as did another "glider family"
that taught with me. Personal time is personal time.

In regards to the AF, the "incentive rides" they used to offer
workers, spouses et al went away a long time ago. Very unfortunate
and counterproductive. Even getting a real flightline tour (e.g.,
kids getting to sit in the pilot seats of B-1, F-15, C-17, etc) is
problematic/impossible. Also very unfortunate and
counterproductive.

Dan Marotta, I assume you are referring to Dan Tellep, the former CEO
of LockMart. A superb gentleman and pilot! I checked him out in glass
and ultimately in his 201 Libelle. He arranged for me (e.g., dirtbag
CFI/Towpilot/Fiberglassguy) to fly a 2-hole F-16 for over an hour with
a Lockheed test pilot. I got my "9-g" pin and certificate (450 kts,
roll inverted, go full A/B and pull like hell, I recall) Yep, a superb
human being. A/B is the mechanical equivalent of Crack. I will never
be the same.

On May 6, 7:18*pm, " wrote:
The school on EDW is not D.O.D. but a CA public school wholly enclosed
on the base. *It is a very high-achieving place with world-class
students and I would never consider teaching elsewhere. * *Almost
"Zero" kids at EDW are interested in aviation or flying. *I attribute
it to the "if Dad/Mom do it, it can't be cool" syndrome. *Very sad but
predictable.

The kids and I may have "worked it out" as did another "glider family"
that taught with me. *Personal time is personal time.

In regards to the AF, the "incentive rides" they used to offer
workers, spouses et al went away a long time ago. *Very unfortunate
and counterproductive. *Even getting a real flightline tour (e.g.,
kids getting to sit in the pilot seats of B-1, F-15, C-17, etc) is
problematic/impossible. *Also very unfortunate and
counterproductive.

Dan Marotta, I assume you are referring to Dan Tellep, the former CEO
of LockMart. A superb gentleman and pilot! *I checked him out in glass
and ultimately in his 201 Libelle. *He arranged for me (e.g., dirtbag
CFI/Towpilot/Fiberglassguy) to fly a 2-hole F-16 for over an hour with
a Lockheed test pilot. *I got my "9-g" pin and certificate *(450 kts,
roll inverted, go full A/B and pull like hell, I recall) Yep, a superb
human being. *A/B is the mechanical equivalent of Crack. *I will never
be the same.

As a possible counterpoint, I had a CAP ASK-21 on display last week at
LockMarts Waterton, CO facility for their "bring your child to work"
day. This is the second year I have done this.

We set up on the lawn in front of the administration building and got
mobbed by parents and kids. (Didn't do the lawn much good but we got
invited back.) The line to look at the K-21 and let the kids sit in
the cockpit was hundreds of feet long. (Some of the "kids" in the
cockpit looked suspiciously like LockMart management.)

I think the CAP picked up a dozen or so new cadets and possibly some
of the parents. We weren't shy about giving information about local
clubs as well as CAP info.

Bill Daniels

On May 6, 12:59*am, " wrote:
I tried to do this at the high school located on Edwards AFB (of all
places) with the physics class (of all things) that I taught/teach
using the flight school that the USAF Test Pilot School contracts with
and whom I have worked with for more than 25 years. *School management
and their lawyers went completely apoplectic. *The students, their
parent, and I had to sign all sorts of documents that we would never
do such a thing nor speak of flying ever again in class. *I recall
that we were also forbidden to even think about it, at least in
school.

Educational institutions have become risk averse, including at the
collegiate level. Twenty five years ago you could find white water
kayaking, glider clubs, and hang glider clubs on campus that owned
equipment. Nearly non-existent now and most clubs for that type of
activity must engage external organizations and keep involvement at
arm's length. Campus clubs are largely social welfare oriented
today.

We had a member's daughter seek to have her Junior ROTC unit take
orientation flights, but the school district balked.

Boy Scouts can participate under their aviation tour permit. Girl
Scouts no. Aviation Venture Crews can be so organized, but there are
still limits.

Some soaring clubs and a few commercial operators have found
interesting ways to engage youth. We can do better.

Currently, there are 441 SSA Youth Members in 134 flying chapters. 10
chapters have 10 or more youth members. 50 Chapters have no youth
members. 22 have one youth member. The average 45 member chapter has
3.25 youth members. To date we've received four Bultman applications
(4/30 deadline). I suspect many more of the 441 were eligible to
apply.

Frank Whiteley