IHMO, the cost/benefit analysis people make about soaring and other
hobbies involves weighing the whole set of 'expenses' ... and yes,
soaring may have more collateral costs then other hobbies, but I don't
know how we can change those ... and I don't think anyone has a formula
that will allow us to realistically change the $ either.

I know the people who get and stay involved in soaring do so because it
is a sport/lifestyle that provides a level of satisfaction or joy that
no other activity can provide. When soaring provides insufficient joy
for a person, they will exit right ... and a lot do. (I'm guessing 20%
yearly, maybe somebody has better turnover numbers.)

So, if we reduced the costs of tows and club dues 50%, what would
happen? Well, I suppose the argument is more people would join (but
where would they come from) and less would depart ... i.e. we would
have a sustained higher rate of casual/training soaring participants.
(BTW, I think it is hard to be a casual participant in any aviation
sport ... especially with recency/proficency requirements ... which
exist for the right reasons.) But, aren't clubs really doing an
excellent job of keeping costs down. i.e. My last two clubs charged
zero $ for rentals or instruction ... and tows were 65% of the local
FBO rates.

And if we reduced the cost of ASW-27s and V2s to $25K .... would this
result in more people getting involved in soaring? ... and less
leaving? I'm not sure I see how.

So, while making the sport less $ expensive is a valid and reasonable
argument ... I don't know if it will generate the desired increase in
community membership.

I still think we are dealing with percentages ... X percent of those
who 'hear' about Soaring and take it up as a casual hobby will stay
with it Y years ... and a smaller x will become lifelong participants.
Lifers are important to the sport as they constitute a core support
group and keep the infrastructure intact over the long haul. And
lifers are not just the FBOs or the members of the SSA organization or
the racers ... they are the guys involved in local clubs ...
instructors and general rank and file ... who put copies of Soaring in
local libraries ... people who promote the sport. We need both the
lifers and the people who are involved in soaring as a casual hobby.

IHMO, I think the only way to incease membership is to get the word out
and have more people coming through the front doors. Unfortunately, in
the US, we don't get much/any free advertising and pretty much have to
do it all ourselves.

Ken Kochanski - KK
ASW-27B (50%)