Count your blessings and move on. There must be clubs in your area with
rational members/directors.


A few weeks ago, my club had a certain review performed by an established
authority in our hobby. The President, some directors, some instructors, and a
member from the safety committee had a meeting with the review people at a
picnic table just a few feet from where I was working on my sailplane.

It was funny to hear some of the half truths told my the president. For
instance, "One of our members is a Airframes and Instruments (AI)". While this
is true, the AI is actually an inactive member. None of the president's
cronies clarified that point.

Every time I walked towards the tail of the glider, one of the board members in
particular would look at me like a deer caught in the headlights, scared that I
would say something...I just smiled because I knew it was such a fiasco.

About an hour into this meeting, the head of the safety committee got up,
grabbed me by the shoulder and walked me off about 15 feet, yet still in full
view of the authorities. He told me that if I knew what was good for me I
would keep my mouth shut. I denied that I was going to say anything. He said
I was going to! He then told me to stop smiling!

It was obvious to all what had transpired, based on the body language, but no
apology was forthcoming.

Welcome to the wonderful "brotherhood" of gliding.

Most students take over two years to get their tickets at my club, so after a
year, they are voting members. The instructors then basically tell them who to
vote for. Of our current board, I think over 80% are instructors, and I think
only one of them has earned a 50k. Pretty sad.

So bring it on...you've kicked me off the instruction committee and told
students that I'm dangerous, don't know what I'm talking about, and don't
follow the FAR's...so what's next in you ball of tricks?

Jim Vincent
N483SZ
illspam