Crazy Idea # 54-1A i.e. Erase all State Soaring Records every 10 years..

Ok
Thanks for the good responses.
I'm just trying Ideas to keep existing pilots engaged in the sport.
Somehow.
What about this idea.
At the end of the year the magazine lists all the best scores in the various categories of record attempts? State by State.
There's so little that's interesting now in the magazine and so much "filler crap" that I'm sure the Mag could spare a few pages for these top record attempt flights being listed.
I mean they burn pages every month in the Milestone column of pilots we will NEVER see again.
And those couple of monthly columns that I can't even read their so bad/boring.
Good Idea? Or too much work?
Anybody else got ANY ideas? Anybody?
Nick
T

On Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 6:55:40 PM UTC-6, Nick Kennedy wrote:
Ok
Thanks for the good responses.
I'm just trying Ideas to keep existing pilots engaged in the sport.
Somehow.
What about this idea.
At the end of the year the magazine lists all the best scores in the various categories of record attempts? State by State.
There's so little that's interesting now in the magazine and so much "filler crap" that I'm sure the Mag could spare a few pages for these top record attempt flights being listed.
I mean they burn pages every month in the Milestone column of pilots we will NEVER see again.
And those couple of monthly columns that I can't even read their so bad/boring.
Good Idea? Or too much work?
Anybody else got ANY ideas? Anybody?
Nick
T

Nick. Interesting sidebar you introduced re Soaring mag - certainly rang my bell - and I feel a need to make some comments.

You wrote some pretty interesting articles comparing gliders, I thought. Provide me with more specifics and ideas. The magazine is based on SSA members' and others' inputs. In general, if someone takes the time and makes the effort to write an article, then I suspect it is of interest to others as well - not necessarily everyone - but to many members.

If most of the magazine is not interesting, I'm not doing my job - and I'd like to get input along those lines. Part of the advice I was given when taking on the job as editor was: "You can please some of the members some of the time, but not all of the members all of the time." So I don't aim to please everyone all the time, but most members should find parts of the magazine of interest most of the time. If this isn't the case, I need to know.

One of my big challenges is getting people to take on the commitment of writing monthly columns, or sending in any articles at all. Dr. Johnson, after writing "Soaring Rx" for years, decided to take care of other aspects of his life. I've asked multiple times for someone to pick up this important topic, but no volunteers. Same for "Soaring Weather." We could reprint past articles, but our knowledge of aviation medicine and weather forecasting has evolved rapidly, and I'd like to get fresh articles on a regular basis. There are other examples of articles I think would be great, but no takers to write them despite my several requests. For example, how about a monthly column on the latest avionics gadgets? Or articles by reps or factories on their newest gliders? I've begged for such with almost no responses.

Taking out "Milestones," I suspect, would raise a ruckus like I've never heard, but I am interested in inputs on that (or any other aspect of the magazine) as to interest or not. "Milestones" is about those who achieve (just like record holders or would-be record holders), and about who is providing training to newbies. Hence, we're introducing in the May issue a graph (in "Milestones") that shows a comparison between soaring sites (FBO and clubs) as to which are training newbies. Maybe this is the wrong way to go - I am open to inputs.

Part of my job is to keep trying things to see what works with readers or not, but I get very few direct inputs about content (so I appreciate what you say). We work entirely on voluntary submitting of articles (there is no staff, paid or volunteer, assigned to write articles). Each year, I have provided, in the magazine, a list of topics I think would be of interest to members, if someone will write them. Those who have better ideas of what should be in Soaring mag might sit down and write those interesting articles and send them in - or send an email to me with ideas ). It is your/SSA's magazine, and it will be as interesting as members make it.

I will also vote that records are records, and the challenge is to break them. I think the articles we ran on the decline of badge and record soaring hit on some of the issues regarding this. The May issue will have some responses to the articles. Any ideas to spur interest in this aspect of soaring should be welcome and explored.

Some records might not be attainable to the average Joe/Jane pilot (think Perlan), but that doesn't prevent anyone from trying. If anyone goes the club or state route for trophies or certificates of recognition, note that we have a "Club Corner" section of the magazine is available for publishing achievements or approaches by different clubs - no problem to expand this.

I welcome suggestions for magazine content.Just need people to sit down and send them in. If someone has an idea for a magazine department along these lines, or other topics, let me know.

Thanks Eric.

I've always hoped there would be articles written about maintenance on gliders. Mx articles can spell out differences in standard and experimental certificated aircraft and who can do what kind of work in incuding reference and documentation requirements.

I hear alot of owners making comments that the think they can do whatever they want to their experimental because after all, its experimental.

Many ship owners and club members could benefit from this type of information to increase safety and compliance to federal requirements.

There are many paths articles could explore concerning maintenace.

When I suggested this subject years ago the response I recieved was just as you commented above,
Great start writing for us.

I'm not much of a writer, barely passed english classes in high school.

Perhaps there have been such articles on this subject and I've missed them.

Thanks Eric

I responded to your comments but then deleted it due to thread drift.

Maybe a new topic regarding magazine articles would be beneficial.

I'll email my thoughts to you.

Joe

Originally Posted by Nick Kennedy[_3_]

Ok
Thanks for the good responses.
I'm just trying Ideas to keep existing pilots engaged in the sport.
Somehow.
What about this idea.
At the end of the year the magazine lists all the best scores in the various categories of record attempts? State by State.
There's so little that's interesting now in the magazine and so much "filler crap" that I'm sure the Mag could spare a few pages for these top record attempt flights being listed.
I mean they burn pages every month in the Milestone column of pilots we will NEVER see again.
And those couple of monthly columns that I can't even read their so bad/boring.
Good Idea? Or too much work?
Anybody else got ANY ideas? Anybody?
Nick
T

Hi Nick

I gotta think that recognizing best performances in the preceeding year is a way to meet your original intent, that is giving people something to shoot for/bragging rights.

Certainly where I come from there are big obstacles to doing things in as free a fashion as in years gone by (airspace restrictions is a big one) but recognizing and encouraging best performances and record attempts can only be to the betterment and advancement of soaring.

It's great to be having this discussion

:-) Colin