If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
As a newcomer to soaring (I have a grand total of 0.5 hours under my
belt), I was turned off to SSA simply by the (what I consider) high membership dues. Yes, I can afford it, but having never seen an SSA magazine, I am reluctant to fork out the cash to see if I like their publication. Maybe they should offer a trial membership, something like $10 for 3 months (a one-time deal). EAA has done this and I think it is working. I don't really need to pay $64 for the privilege of soaring, so there has to be some incentive to join. Just a thought... Scott Bill Daniels wrote: "John H. Campbell" wrote in message ... Agreed. But my intended point was that the vision was wrong. The focus of the article was "how can we get the SSA to grow" where the focus should have been "how can we get the sport to grow". Point taken, and I am among those constantly lobbying for SSA to shoulder systematic PR for the sport (staff member, press room,...). However, consider Bob Wander's point from years ago already that SSA membership is the most convenient tool there is to draw people in! For a mere $64 (less than the cost of a one-time ride at many operations) and a few clicks online or moments filling out a card, new prospects get 12 months of propaganda. Like the HYCBAGP tri-fold says (originally written back in 1978 or so IIRC) "There's more, but there isn't room to say it here. What do you do next? We suggest... you become a member of (SSA)..." So, John, SSA membership causes soaring to grow? Isn't it the other way around? I don't think I have ever known of even one new glider pilot to come to the sport through the SSA. On the other hand, hard working commercial soaring operations promoting rides to the public are probably responsible for 90% of the few new pilots we get. If they could get a little help with that promotion from the SSA, they could do an even better job. Bill Daniels Bill Daniels |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Maybe they should offer a trial membership, something like
Good idea, Scott. I suggested that the SSA give a free 1 year membership to all newly licenced glider pilots. Nothing ever came of it. JJ Sinclair |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
At the risk of encouraging him, Lennie's recent post to this thread is the
most logical and reasoned of any of his (and most everyone else's) that I have read recently. Thanks Leninie, good points. -- bobgreenblattATmsnDOTcom --fix this before responding |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
JJ Sinclair wrote:
Maybe they should offer a trial membership, something like Good idea, Scott. I suggested that the SSA give a free 1 year membership to all newly licenced glider pilots. Nothing ever came of it. JJ Sinclair Sounds like a good idea. Maybe it's time to suggest it again - new management, elected and appointed. -- ----- change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Bill Daniels wrote:
"John H. Campbell" wrote in message ... Agreed. But my intended point was that the vision was wrong. The focus of the article was "how can we get the SSA to grow" where the focus should have been "how can we get the sport to grow". Point taken, and I am among those constantly lobbying for SSA to shoulder systematic PR for the sport (staff member, press room,...). However, consider Bob Wander's point from years ago already that SSA membership is the most convenient tool there is to draw people in! For a mere $64 (less than the cost of a one-time ride at many operations) and a few clicks online or moments filling out a card, new prospects get 12 months of propaganda. Like the HYCBAGP tri-fold says (originally written back in 1978 or so IIRC) "There's more, but there isn't room to say it here. What do you do next? We suggest... you become a member of (SSA)..." So, John, SSA membership causes soaring to grow? Isn't it the other way around? I don't think I have ever known of even one new glider pilot to come to the sport through the SSA. On the other hand, hard working commercial soaring operations promoting rides to the public are probably responsible for 90% of the few new pilots we get. If they could get a little help with that promotion from the SSA, they could do an even better job. Bill you got me thinking (remembering really). I was an SSA member when I was 15 for one year, intending to learn to fly. Even with a glider operation within bike riding distance at that time (Old Black Forest) I didn't start to fly until I was in my late 20's. Money wasn't the issue, I was an industrious teen. Such an easy catch and they still missed me for a dozen years. Shawn |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
"Shawn Curry" wrote in message news:lldfc.36026$wP1.136994@attbi_s54... Bill Daniels wrote: "John H. Campbell" wrote in message ... Agreed. But my intended point was that the vision was wrong. The focus of the article was "how can we get the SSA to grow" where the focus should have been "how can we get the sport to grow". Point taken, and I am among those constantly lobbying for SSA to shoulder systematic PR for the sport (staff member, press room,...). However, consider Bob Wander's point from years ago already that SSA membership is the most convenient tool there is to draw people in! For a mere $64 (less than the cost of a one-time ride at many operations) and a few clicks online or moments filling out a card, new prospects get 12 months of propaganda. Like the HYCBAGP tri-fold says (originally written back in 1978 or so IIRC) "There's more, but there isn't room to say it here. What do you do next? We suggest... you become a member of (SSA)..." So, John, SSA membership causes soaring to grow? Isn't it the other way around? I don't think I have ever known of even one new glider pilot to come to the sport through the SSA. On the other hand, hard working commercial soaring operations promoting rides to the public are probably responsible for 90% of the few new pilots we get. If they could get a little help with that promotion from the SSA, they could do an even better job. Bill you got me thinking (remembering really). I was an SSA member when I was 15 for one year, intending to learn to fly. Even with a glider operation within bike riding distance at that time (Old Black Forest) I didn't start to fly until I was in my late 20's. Money wasn't the issue, I was an industrious teen. Such an easy catch and they still missed me for a dozen years. Shawn You know, that's a shame. Young people are the easiest catches - if we cater to them. I've actually been called names for spending time with young people, listening to them and encouraging their flying. We're really our own worst enemy. Sad... Bill Daniels |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
there is one very solid reason soaring is declining.that is the lack of
qualified gliding instructors! If any of us expect to keep soaring alive it's not only recruiting new members, but also, and more inportantly, having someone available to bring these new recruits to the poinyt where that can actually get certification and eventually fly and own their own gliders.... tim |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
"Tim Mara" wrote in message ... there is one very solid reason soaring is declining.that is the lack of qualified gliding instructors! If any of us expect to keep soaring alive it's not only recruiting new members, but also, and more inportantly, having someone available to bring these new recruits to the poinyt where that can actually get certification and eventually fly and own their own gliders.... tim Yep, and a lot of instructors are quitting because they are fed up with the back seat of a 2-33. Bill Daniels |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
I'm not a fan of flying from the back of a 233 (I really don't like the
front in a 233 any better :-) but that really isn't the only thing that is losing instructors.....When I became a CFI I had hoped and even planned on training enough new glider pilots that some would eventually take over and become instructors themselves, thereby giving back what was given to them..very few ever did...a lot of KUDOS to the ones that have..... Glider pilots (not all) in general are a self centered group of "individuals" that's why we like flying along in our single seaters, using one man rigs, flying motor gliders and so on......all of these things contribute to being self sufficient and well, self centered....we hear the chant on how to save soaring, promote the sport, but generally followed by a chant, "so it'll still be there for me".. Giving back and instructing others is a challenge, it's a lot of effort and has few rewards outside of seeing another happy new pilot on his way to new adventures....but without finding more new instructors to take the lead we will continue to see the decline in our favorite pastime....and all the promotion and advertising we do nothing. tim "Bill Daniels" wrote in message news:lhgfc.134640$gA5.1578464@attbi_s03... "Tim Mara" wrote in message ... there is one very solid reason soaring is declining.that is the lack of qualified gliding instructors! If any of us expect to keep soaring alive it's not only recruiting new members, but also, and more inportantly, having someone available to bring these new recruits to the poinyt where that can actually get certification and eventually fly and own their own gliders.... tim Yep, and a lot of instructors are quitting because they are fed up with the back seat of a 2-33. Bill Daniels |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Well, maybe we should take advantage of their self-centered nature and offer
them an interesting two-seater to train people in. Even altruistic CFI-G's need some rewards beyond just seeing new pilots grin. There's not enough money in instructing to ever make a difference. Bill Daniels "Tim Mara" wrote in message ... I'm not a fan of flying from the back of a 233 (I really don't like the front in a 233 any better :-) but that really isn't the only thing that is losing instructors.....When I became a CFI I had hoped and even planned on training enough new glider pilots that some would eventually take over and become instructors themselves, thereby giving back what was given to them..very few ever did...a lot of KUDOS to the ones that have..... Glider pilots (not all) in general are a self centered group of "individuals" that's why we like flying along in our single seaters, using one man rigs, flying motor gliders and so on......all of these things contribute to being self sufficient and well, self centered....we hear the chant on how to save soaring, promote the sport, but generally followed by a chant, "so it'll still be there for me".. Giving back and instructing others is a challenge, it's a lot of effort and has few rewards outside of seeing another happy new pilot on his way to new adventures....but without finding more new instructors to take the lead we will continue to see the decline in our favorite pastime....and all the promotion and advertising we do nothing. tim "Bill Daniels" wrote in message news:lhgfc.134640$gA5.1578464@attbi_s03... "Tim Mara" wrote in message ... there is one very solid reason soaring is declining.that is the lack of qualified gliding instructors! If any of us expect to keep soaring alive it's not only recruiting new members, but also, and more inportantly, having someone available to bring these new recruits to the poinyt where that can actually get certification and eventually fly and own their own gliders.... tim Yep, and a lot of instructors are quitting because they are fed up with the back seat of a 2-33. Bill Daniels |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Advanced Soaring Seminar - Eastern PA | B Lacovara | Home Built | 0 | February 9th 04 01:55 AM |
Advanced Soaring Seminar - Eastern PA | B Lacovara | Soaring | 0 | January 26th 04 07:55 PM |
Soaring Safety Seminar - SSA Convention | Burt Compton | Soaring | 0 | January 26th 04 03:57 PM |
Soaring Safety Seminar Wednesday - Atlanta | Burt Compton | Soaring | 0 | January 19th 04 02:51 AM |
January/February 2004 issue of Southern California Soaring is on-line | [email protected] | Soaring | 8 | January 4th 04 09:37 PM |