Keith,

I read your mesages about your club and I feel your pain. I went to a
particular club all one summer and got 20 minutes flying time due to
some "Catch 22" rules. Did it make me quit... no. Did it make me
appreciate a good club even more... YES!!! If you're not getting any
more than that out of it, maybe you need to change clubs.

I will say the soaring today in the U.S. would be nothing without
volunteer labor. I hate to continue to elevate Texas Soaring
Association to some plateau that others won't be able to achieve, but
as wealthy as the club is, there greatest asset is the membership. That
group, that I'm proud to say I was once a member of, has the talent to
do about anything they need to get done. Their Pawnees are stunning.
Their gliders are well maintained. Their facilities are wonderful.

I am very encouraged about the Soaring Club of Houston. I did quite a
bit of work since joining in July. I haven't flown much but that's
about to change, since I just got my own ship. I will continue to work
to build this club to one day match what I know is possible. Not
tooting my own horn, but just trying to encourage others, including
Keith, not to give up. If you're not getting what you think you need
out of it, examine your situation and fix it. If it means going to
another club, GO!

Tell others about soaring. Take them up if possible. You never know
where the next really great club member is going to come from. Our
average age is getting older, and our numbers are dwindling. It takes
someone special to be a glider pilot, in my opinion. Those folks are
out there, though, and we're not reaching them. Again, I think SSA and
local clubs should do an R/C day and invite the local R/C Soaring
groups out for a demo ride and a cookout. They already love soaring...
Lots of work for some... yep... it's worth it to continue this greatest
of aviation advantures... (hahaha, waxing poetic here... not bad for an
old West Texas Bumpkin.)
Chin up! GO FLY!!! TELL SOMEONE HOW TERRIFIC IT IS!!!!!!

Jack Womack