Bill Daniels wrote: Without enthusiastic instructors, there is no sport of
soaring.

I guess my only two cents to that comment Bill...is that I have yet to hear
of many clubs where "soaring" is taught. Perhaps in Europe, but not in the
U.S. Here is seems that CFIG's have their hands full teaching people to
operate the basic training glider ie 2-33 or Blanik to their version of
passing the Practical Test Standards. For virtually anyone wanting to fly
sailplanes, it is far more time efficient to simply become an ASEL private
pilot and then transition to gliders, than it is to just pursue a Private
Glider license, I believe.

You certainly can schedule time much more easily and there are far more
places to participate and get trained. And really ...honestly...without
meaning to offend all the CFIG's, don't you sorta think we learn the art of
"soaring" by more of an osmosis type approach...?? I think we teach people
the basics, but in most clubs I think you'd be hard to pressed to find an
instructor with a Gold Badge under his belt...or one who loves cross country
flying...I know there are places where those traits are more common, but I'm
not sure if just having enthusiastic instructors is enough...I've thought
for some time now, that for the sport to flourish in any way, what we really
need is more of a two stepped teaching program. One in which the basic PTS
is taught and tested to....and then more of an advanced instructor for
taking people into cross country soaring and then into racing if they so
desire...as it is, we basically teach ourselves and learn from those above
us who are generous enough to act as mentors...Eric Greenwell, Rudy Alleman,
Gary Boggs all those sort up here in Washington and Oregon who patiently
answer all my dumb questions and encourage me to try...the ones who share
their knowledge...that's what we need more of...

I always get a little existential about soaring, but I think if it's going
to change, that Instructors have to become the Life Blood of the
SPORT....not just the Practical Test Standards side of things...but active
involved members of the sport of soaring. the Sport of Cross Country Soaring
and the Sport of Sailplane Racing...

I guess for the first time in a long while I better suit up with the "Flame
Suit" Mark Jame s Boyd always carries with him....but still...it is a point
worth discussing.


Be Gentle...it's my first negative comment.



Steve.