If I could add a few words about another good way for manufacturers to
gain exposure that is very common in the foot-launched world of hang
gliders, it's yearly manufacturer demo days.

Hang glider manufacturers meet several times a year at well-known hang
gliding sites for 2-3 days to give many pilots the opportunity to test
fly their latest HG models, all at no charge. This is one of the most
successful ways for HG manufacters to gain customers. It's always the
most popular event of the year for HG in Arizona.

But, since sailplanes easily last decades, the market is probably much
less active than the HG market, where many pilots trade their hang
gliders every 2-4 years, or every year for many competition pilots.
Exposure is good, but if it doesn't lead to more sales, it's no more
than an extra expense for the manufacturers.

gill
www.gillcouto.com/hg


John wrote:
Was following the Sparrowhawk thread and like the post concerning
sponsering a glider at a contest to gain exposure.

A perhaps better idea would be for Sparrowhawk, Apis, Silent, etc. to
loan a glider to the big soaring sites (Bermuda High, Seminole Lake,
Minden, Turf, etc.). That way many people would rent these gliders
and the glider manufactures would gain a broad exposure.

Perhaps the soaring sites would provide insurance and keep the rental
fees. The glider manufacturers would maintain ownership (and hence,
claim resale value at a future date) as well as benefit from the
advertising as people try the planes. Perhaps above a certain usage
level, the glider manufacturer would recieve compensation based on
"too many hours" (one would assume the soaring sites would be raking
in the dough for rental fees at this point).

If the numbers work out right, the manufacturers would have 3-4 planes
in rental service that would re-sale at least at cost at a future
date. So the advertising would be almost free. The soaring sites
would benefit because there is no expense in buying the plane, just
have to buy the insurance only...so profits could be more for these
"factory demonstrator" planes.

Is this not a good way to build market presence?

John